Cameron Earns MOTM Honors in EPL Debut

You only get one chance to make a first impression. So Geoff Cameron decided to make his EPL debut a memorable one.

On Sunday, the Attleboro (Mass.) native earned Man of the Match honors after helping Stoke City’s hold off Arsenal for 90 minutes during a 0-0 draw at Britannia Stadium.

“It was good,” Cameron told FOX Soccer Channel after the game. “It was a tough day out obviously playing against one of the top teams (in the league).”

Cameron, who has built his reputation as a center back in MLS, was stationed in the central midfield in place of a suspended Dean Whitehead on Sunday. Even so, it was evident that his presence in the middle of the park disrupted the Arsenal attack.

“It was just making sure that we were limiting their opportunities,” Cameron said. “They’ve got some quality players. If you shut them down early and frustrate them, I think they struggle throughout the game. It was, all around, a great effort.”

The 27-year-old defender joined Stoke in July after the EPL side paid a $2.7 million transfer from MLS, where he played for the Houston Dynamo from 2008-2012.

After the game, Stoke manager Tony Pulis appeared happy with Cameron’s performance against Arsenal.

“We’re pleased with Geoff,” Pulis told BBC Sport after the match. “I was really impressed with his standard. We’ve taken Maurice Edu from Rangers as well and we’re hoping he’ll settle in and Geoff will (as well) and become a big part of what we’re trying to do this year.”

Stoke returns to action on Tuesday for a Capital One Cup showdown with Swindon Town (League One) at 2:45pm ET. The Potters resume league action at 10:00am ET on Saturday at Wigan.

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