12 June 2023 , 16:18
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The fourth and final date of Wrexham's landmark tour around the US has been announced as the Welsh side gears up to take on some of the world's biggest clubs this summer.
In a real demonstration of the intrigue that now surrounds the Red Dragons after their steady rise following the arrival of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as owners, fixtures against Chelsea and Manchester United await over the coming months. Given the allure of the club's Hollywood connections, it is likely that the matches will draw significant crowds as the players prepare for their first League 2 season in 15 years.
Wrexham's promotion journey captured hearts and minds last season, with their dramatic 3-2 win over Notts County sending them on their way back to the EFL. The club has been transformed since Reynolds and McElhenney assumed the reigns, with the Welcome to Wrexham series also bringing the North Wales side to wider attention worldwide.
Their National League triumph does mean that the club has now reassumed its Football League status, with the recent re-signing of former England goalkeeper Ben Foster for a further year at the Racecourse Ground demonstrating the club's unique draw. The side's owners will be hoping that the tour of the US provides a springboard for further success in the upcoming campaign.
The tour will properly start with a game against Chelsea on campus of the University of North Carolina on July 19, before a mouthwatering encounter versus Manchester United on July 25 in San Diego. Alongside the clashes with Premier League heavyweights in the US this summer, the fourth-tier outfit will also play games against LA Galaxy II on July 22 and Philadelphia Union II on July 28.
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The clash in Los Angeles will take place at the Galaxy's Dignity Health Sports Park, which has a capacity of 27,000. To cap things off nicely, the trip to Philadelphia's Subaru Park which follows will see Wrexham play in McElhenney's home city for a first time in the club's history.
Wrexham owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds lifting the Vanarama National League trophy (Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson spoke of his excitement ahead of the tour, while also expressing his delight at being able to take his team to play in Philadelphia. He told Wrexham's club website: “We're looking forward to our tour to America in the summer.
"The Club has had a small taste of the support we have over there, and it will be great to take our first-team players over to see that support first-hand.
"The matches scheduled will be a good warm-up for our first season back in the EFL, and we’re looking forward to visiting Philadelphia, the home of our co-chairman, Rob McElhenney, for what promises to be a competitive game and a terrific ending to our summer tour."
Full Wrexham US tour schedule:
- July 19 - Wrexham vs Chelsea - Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- July 22 - Wrexham vs LA Galaxy II - Los Angeles, California
- July 25 - Wrexham vs Manchester United - San Diego, California
- July 28 - Wrexham vs Philadelphia Union II - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania