Wrexham AFC kicked off their preseason tour in North America with an impressive performance, managing to secure a 1-1 draw against Premier League side Bournemouth in a friendly match held at Harder Stadium, located on the University of California, Santa Barbara campus. The match took place in front of a packed crowd, showcasing the growing interest in both clubs.
The first half saw Wrexham take the lead just before the break. In stoppage time, Bournemouth defender James Hill inadvertently headed the ball into his own net from a corner, giving the Welsh club a surprising advantage as they headed into halftime.
However, Bournemouth made several tactical changes at halftime, introducing six new players. This shift revitalized the Cherries, who equalized shortly after the break. In the 53rd minute, substitute Marcos Senesi scored with a close-range header, demonstrating Bournemouth’s intent to dominate the match.
Despite the pressure from Bournemouth, Wrexham showed resilience. After making a complete set of 11 substitutions midway through the second half, the team regained composure and even created several opportunities to retake the lead. The match ended in a draw, a commendable result for Wrexham, particularly considering they are two divisions lower than their opponents. Just two seasons ago, there was a four-division gap between the two teams before Wrexham achieved back-to-back promotions to reach League One.
Wrexham played without their star striker, Paul Mullin, who is recovering from minor spinal surgery performed in June. Despite his absence, the team was supported by one of their celebrity owners, Rob McElhenney, who was present to cheer them on. Bournemouth also showcased their star power, with minority owner Michael B. Jordan in attendance, watching the match in the new jerseys that he helped design.
In addition to the excitement on the field, Bournemouth’s squad was missing key players, including US international Tyler Adams, who underwent back surgery after the US Men’s National Team’s exit from the Copa América. Manager Andoni Iraola confirmed that Adams would miss the start of the Premier League season due to his recovery.
Wrexham’s preseason tour continues as they prepare for their next match against Chelsea in Santa Clara, California, scheduled for Wednesday. Following that, they will conclude their North American tour in Vancouver, the hometown of their other celebrity owner, Ryan Reynolds, where they will face the Vancouver Whitecaps of Major League Soccer.
As Wrexham gears up for the upcoming League One season, set to kick off on August 10 against Wycombe Wanderers, this friendly match against Bournemouth serves as a promising indicator of their readiness and competitive spirit.
