With the pre-season which was to be considerably cut, Maresca used the competition to experiment with a new system.
Against Flamengo, he went to training using the most traditional weapons and with Cole Palmer playing like an inverted winger, just as he did under the previous boss Mauricio Pochettino.
It ended with a disappointing defeat 3-1 and attracted criticism, although they bounced with a 4-1 success last time on Benfica using a similar system.
MARESCA also used her team more than any other tournament club in 27 years, each outside player led to the United States by getting time on the field.
The new signatures Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr made their debut – with Andrey Santos and Aaron Anselmino, who were already at the club – and some of them explained how the nature of the long journey abroad helped them to assimilate with their new teammates.
Delap said “100%” when asked about it, adding: “Setting up in any new place, it is always useful to spend 24/7 with everyone.
“It really helped me get to know everyone.”
The attackers Delap and Joao Pedro both struck the ground also after their arrivals of Ipswich Town and Brighton.
But the transfer window was a double -edged sword with Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku and Trevoh Chalobah among players linked to movements.
Madueke, who agreed with personal terms with Arsenal while Chelsea will hold costs of 50 million pounds sterling, continues to be involved in the bench.