It's all about getting players fit for the start of the new season, but it carries some baggage.
Alan Pardew had to answer the question yesterday: "Don't you think ten flights in ten days over America is bad preperation for the players before a new season?"
The team 'bonding' will have to go ahead without Joey Barton and Nile Ranger because they will not be allowed into America.
Then there is the prospect of a shock defeat ... like what happened to Wolves yesterday.
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has spoken of his hatred of pre-season.
The Molineux chief watched his side go down 2-1 at Crewe in their opening pre-season contest on Saturday and revealed after the game that he just wants to get started with the real business of competitive football.
Wolves start their Premier League season with a trip to Blackburn on August 13 and it can't come soon enough for McCarthy.
He said: "I hate pre-season. I hate pre-season games. I hate everything about it and that game has just proved it.
"It's just a matter of getting fit for the 13th of August because these results will have no bearing on what goes on this season."