A first half brace from Nicolas Kuhn and smart Kyogo Furuhashi finish meant City went in behind at the break despite Oscar Bobb also finding the net.
With Celtic’s Scottish Premier League season getting under way in just over one week, their extra sharpness initially told in the Kenan Memorial Stadium’s North Carolina heat.
A defiant second half display, spearheaded by the irrepressible Bobb, pulled City level though with Maximo Perrone and Erling Haaland both on target, but the Scottish champions found a winner through substitute Luis Palma.
It was harsh on City, but the sight of academy products Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Jadel Katongo, Joel Ndala and Nico O’Reilly all making their senior debuts provided a major positive in our pre-season opener.
Enjoy the best of the action by playing the video above...
