While Tony Pulis' first team squad have returned to pre-season training after enjoying their summer break, Austin Aztex have been steadily going about their business across the pond in their inaugural season in the USL First Division.
City's Affiliate Club, managed by former Potter Adrian Heath, have earned themselves three wins and six draws from 18 matches so far this term.
Former Manchester United trainee Eddie Johnson is the side's top goalscorer with four so far, whilst familiar face to Stoke supporters - Gifton Noel Williams - has a further two.
A 1-0 win at bottom side Cleveland City Star earlier this month had helped to cushion the blow of being knocked out of the US Open Cup just days before.
The Aztex had already progressed through two rounds of the competition, which includes all the side from the MLS, before succumbing to Ade Akinbiyi's Houston Dynamo in a 2-0 loss.
They slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Minnesota Thunder yesterday after Rod Dyachenko struck five minutes before half-time, but will look to make amends next Sunday when Montreal Impact visit Nelson Field.
Of the twelve remaining games, only four of them are in Austin, with Heath and his team set to travel to the likes of Carolina, Montreal, Vancouver and Miami before the send comes to a finish in September.
