Wrexham is jetting off to the United States this week, not for a casual stroll, but to throw down against *three* Premier League clubs on their high-profile pre-season tour. This isn’t some run-of-the-mill friendly trip, folks. Manager Phil Parkinson is already talking about how “privileged” the club feels to be invited back across the pond, and honestly, who can blame him?
This Isn’t Just Any Tour, It’s a Statement
Parkinson is hyped, and he should be! Getting the invite to play three Premier League squads, that’s a huge deal. He even said a lot of Premiership clubs *want* to tour America but getting the games has been tough, especially with the World Cup on everyone’s mind. So, for Wrexham, a Championship club, to pull this off? That’s “quite amazing for us,” as Parkinson put it, and they are definitely not taking it for granted. This kind of global profile, driven by owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac and their “Welcome to Wrexham” documentary, means huge crowds always show up. Past tours in 2023 and 2024 against giants like Manchester United and Chelsea proved that. Parkinson wants the lads to “appreciate that” this trip is “very special.”
The Gauntlet Is THROWN: Who’s Up, Who’s Down?
The schedule is stacked. Wrexham, gearing up for their second straight Championship season, kicks things off against Leeds in Tampa this Sunday, July 26. Four days later, on July 30, they’ll face Liverpool in New York. The tour wraps up against Parkinson’s former club, Sunderland, on Sunday, August 2, in Philadelphia, which is actually co-owner Rob Mac’s hometown! Talk about a homecoming for him!
Now, for the player updates: forward Ryan Hardie will miss the trip with a thigh strain, which is a bummer. But on the bright side, Ryan Longman is set to get back into full training *during* the trip. And Elliot Lee, who sat out the 1-0 win over Manchester United in Helsinki, *is* traveling. Parkinson thinks Lee “should be in contention for the second game” against Liverpool, and keeping him with the squad is key for “maintaining his fitness” even if he doesn’t log a ton of minutes. Smart move.
More Than Just Games: It’s An Experience
This tour is clearly more than just a few matches. Parkinson says the previous three tours were “absolutely incredible,” filled with amazing memories, great games, and an unbelievable reception in the US. There’s a real “air of anticipation” for this one, especially with the cool stadiums they’re playing in and the top-tier opposition. The crowds from the last US tour two years ago were massive, and the “atmospheres and the kind of support we had was brilliant.” It’s also awesome that a lot of the players’ families are coming along, making it a truly “special” experience for everyone. But make no mistake, Parkinson is clear: the lads know “there’s a real focus on what we’ve got to do on the training pitch and the games.”
So, mark your calendars: Sunday, July 26, against Leeds in Tampa. Wrexham needs to come out firing, proving they can hang with the big dogs right from the jump. This tour is their moment to show everyone what they are all about before the real Championship grind begins!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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