Wrexham have taken the somewhat unusual step to tour the USA as part of their pre-season preparations and will face a number of top-quality teams in the next few weeks.
Owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds are aiming to raise the profile of the Red Dragons in the States, and having been promoted to League Two for the first time since 2008, this will be a good chance for Wrexham to build their international fanbase.
Phil Parkinson’s side face a tough season as they attempt to deal with the step-up in quality from the National League, but are remarkably the favourites to seal promotion.
They will begin their tour in the next few days, playing four different teams at four different stadiums within nine hectic days, and the details can be seen below:
July 19th – Wrexham vs Chelsea, 07.30pm ET/12.30am UK – Chapel Hill Stadium, North Carolina.
July 22nd – Wrexham vs LA Galaxy II – 07.30pm ET/12.30am UK – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
July 25th – Wrexham vs Manchester United – 07.30pm ET/12.30am UK – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atalanta, Georgia
July 28th – Philadelphia Union vs Wrexham – 07.30pm ET/12.30am UK – Subaru Park, Chester, Philadelphia
What are Wrexham’s plans for pre-season?
McElhenney was originally born in Philadelphia, and the success of his hit show It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia may perhaps indicate why the Pennsylvania-based city has been chosen as a destination for his team on tour.
Playing Premier League opposition in Chelsea and Man United will certainly boost their profile on the soccer pitch, whilst the games against LA Galaxy’s reserves and Philadelphia Union will help Parkinson’s squad get up to speed to prepare for the season ahead.
Wrexham kick off their League campaign just a week after the Philadelphia Union clash, and it is hoped that the squad will be fully fit and ready to compete following the conclusion of the tour.
It is unusual for a League Two side to embark on such high-profile trips in pre-season, but it is a testament to the ability and ambition of the owners that they have managed to organise such an exciting schedule.