Since Palace USA's inception three years ago Andrew Marshall has established himself as one of the first names on Pete Medd and Jim Cherneski's team sheet.

He has also played against Palace in the previous two showcase encounters and here he talks exclusively to the Crystal Palace official website about what our boys can expect as well as the shifting soccer culture in not only Baltimore but in the US in general.

Firstly Andrew, should you play in the forthcoming fixture against Crystal Palace on the 13th July it will mean you have played in all three games. How is this one shaping up to compare against the previous two?

Well, in our first year we were more like a college all star team with some recent graduates and had played together only a couple of times.

The second year it was the end of our season so we hadn't played in any competitive matches for a month or so.

So I think this year is really exciting because we are in the middle of our season, more organised, nice and sharp and Palace UK are coming over in pre-season and anxious to get their season started so probably the most exciting one I have been involved in.

What can our players expect to face when they turn out against your side?

I think it is going to be a huge excitement for our players and I think they will all want to go out there and prove something and challenge themselves so I think it will be an energetic, fast paced game. The fans will be into it, everyone we have talked to is excited about it so there will be a great atmosphere too and hopefully a very competitive game.

Despite recent efforts from iconic figures such as David Beckham, football in the USA is still regarded as somewhat in its infancy. Do you see this match as a chance to prove to an English audience that is otherwise or will it be more of a chance to prove how far Palace USA has come in three years?

Definitely to show how we have advanced in three years, but then again, in my time with the club I have seen such a change in soccer in general in the USA.

I am not sure it is a game to prove anything, but it is a way to judge yourself against players who play against other greats in the game in the Championship and some have played in the Premier League, so it is nice to see how you stack up against those players. And the experience they have it is definitely exciting from that perspective as well.

On a personal level, what is the objective playing against an English team?

The experience; to see how I match up against the attackers and the tactics that Palace have. It is just a challenge that I am looking forward to.

On the back of the news about this tour there has been discussion about the relationship between the two brands and the necessity for there to be something tangible for the American players to work for. Is this something actually realised within the Palace USA set-up?

Yes definitely. Three or four players have moved to London for trials over the past few months. Brian Rowland, our goalkeeper was over there, Val Texiera, Paul Robson and Brian Harking and when they have all come back we have asked them about their experiences and they have said that it was great.

Val was offered a contract with Chesterfield after going over there and performing well so it just shows that there is a real connection and not just a marketing excercise. There is a real connection between the teams and if you do well and work hard then the opportunities will come.

Is that reassuring to know that Palace UK are putting in a real investment and not looking at it purely from a marketing angle?

Oh absolutely. Palace UK are one of the front runners in actually establishing a connection in the US.

As far as I know, I could be wrong, but we are the only direct link to an English team and they have obviously realised that there is growing talent in America.

Baltimore has always been great in producing quality players and I think Palace UK giving opportunites to players like the ones I mentioned shows that they are interested in finding people and creating a world market for players, which I think is important.

Since Crystal Palace USA's inception, how has the soccer culture in Baltimore changed? Is it noticeable?

It is definitely getting stronger. The first year we played down in Anapolis so we had a great fan base from there.

Then the second year we moved into Baltimore county so that was another growing stage and this year we have combined the two markets so our fan base has got a lot better.

Baltimore is a great soccer town. There are a lot of people who know the game, who are excited about so it is growing and great thing to be a part of.

Having been with Palace USA from the beginning, how much of a challenge has it been developing a newly formed team to a serious professional outfit?

Well it was difficult for the first couple of years because you don't have that core of a team.

We have kind of kept that core of players now, which is good because when new players come in to the team it is easier for them to get acclimatised when the majority of the team know the tactics and know what to expect throughout the season and what to expect at other clubs and travelling.

It is difficult in the US in general because there are no teams with a long history like you have in England, so it is a bit of a fresh start every year. But that is the way it is. It is a challenge. Every team is facing the same struggle in that sense.

And finally, as an American player is England the ultimate goal?

It has definitely always been a goal of mine because I have always been a big fan of it, the style and the passion, the fans; it is something I would like to be a part of.

But wherever you can play is great and to constantly be moving up and challenging yourself every year is the ultimate goal and if that leads to England then that is great, if not then you carry on working hard to improve yourself.

Crystal Palace travel out to the US on the 11th July with their first game on Monday 13th July against Crystal Palace USA. They will then face the Harrisburg City Islanders on Thursday 16th July before returning home.

For ticket details for both games click on the links:

Crystal Palace USA vs Crystal Palace