I’m not sure if Rui Patricio is the #1 gk of Sporting CP this season 2010-11. This pre-season tour in the US, the friendly against Celtic (draw 1-1) and the Barclays NY Football challenge, http://www.facebook.com/BarclaysNewYorkChallenge Rui Patricio didn’t play each game!

In the first Sporting CP game in the USA, Celtic 1-1 Sporting CP, Rui Patricio was in goal in the 1st 45 minutes. 3 crucial defenses on the near post and then manager Paulo Sergio replaced him with Tiago. I assume Sergio has to rotate its goalkeepers to give them match-fitness.

Then comes the 1st Barclays NY Football Challenge, Manchester City 0-2 Sporting CP, July 23 2010, and Tiago is in goal. Rui Patricio stayed on the bench.

Sporting CP starting lineup- Tiago, João Pereira, Carriço (capitão), Polga, Evaldo, Yannick, Pedro Mendes (André Santos, 87 m), Maniche, Vukcevic (Valdes, 73 m), Postiga (Veloso, 78 m) e Saleiro (Pongolle, 46 m).
manager: Paulo Sérgio

For the title-clinching match against Tottenham 2-2, Rui Patricio did play the whole 90 minutes. Sporting CP starting lineup: Rui Patrício, Abel (João Pereira, 76 m), Nuno André Coelho, Torsiglieri, Grimi (Evaldo, 76 m), André Santos (Pedro Mendes, 76 m), Miguel Veloso (Maniche, 64 m), Salomão (Pongolle, 46 m (Saleiro, 84 m)), Matias, Valdes e Liedson (capitão) (Djaló, 76 m).

Rui Patricio was brilliant against Celtic, but what matters is the official match UEFA Europa League on July 29. In any case, it would be really cool to see him come to the Serie A or move to another league to keep improving and secure his place in the Portugal national team.