The report says the Clarets have moved quickly from sightseeing to serious preparation, using facilities linked to the Cincinnati Bengals after taking in a baseball game. For interim head coach Jackson, the opening friendly is an opportunity to test the squad in unfamiliar conditions.
He described Burnley’s early football as “really good” and said the team had studied several FC Cincinnati matches. The MLS side is expected to provide a competitive challenge, particularly with the home crowd behind them.
Weather will also be part of Burnley’s adaptation. Jackson acknowledged that “English people” do not always “cope well with hot weather”, making the fixture useful beyond its sporting value.
Jackson also offered a measured assessment of MLS football, saying: “The games can be a little bit more slower than what we've probably played in, but there's still good managers and good players playing over here. And I think it's getting better and better every year.”
That change of tempo could make the Cincinnati meeting a valuable exercise. Burnley will need to manage the physical demands of the tour while building sharpness ahead of their return to the Championship following relegation from the Premier League.
Captain Josh Cullen struck a similar tone, calling the trip “a great spectacle” while stressing that Burnley are “here to work and prepare for the season”. He also underlined that the club’s rebuild will require more than technical quality, with attitude and daily commitment central to the challenge.
The report says Burnley are expected to face Columbus Crew and Real Salt Lake later in the tour. The Cincinnati fixture should therefore establish the early standards Jackson wants before those tests arrive.