Wrexham's James McClean, back centre, and Sam Dalby (18) celebrate McClean's goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the second half of an international friendly soccer match, in Vancouver, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
VANCOUVER – Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds watched Wrexham AFC take down his hometown Vancouver Whitecaps 4-1 on Saturday night at BC Place.
Wrexham, a third-tier English club co-owned by Reynolds and popularized by the “Welcome to Wrexham” docuseries, made its first trip to Vancouver.
The match was played in the Whitecaps’ stadium and was officially a neutral-site international friendly, but many of the 34,738 fans were decked out in red and white jerseys and scarves, happy to see Wrexham pull out a win.
Sebastian Revan, James McClean, Elliot Lee and Jordan Davies scored for Wrexham, while Giuseppe Bovalina replied for Vancouver. Wrexham led the shot 10-4 (6-3 on target).
Fresh off his whirlwind press tour for the movie “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which opened in theatres Friday, the Vancouver-born Reynolds took in the match from a box along with his Wrexham co-chair, Rob McElhenney.
The win was Wrexham’s first on its weeklong “˜2024 Wrex Coast Tour,’ following a pair of draws against Premier League sides Bournemouth and Chelsea in California.
Amid early back-and-forth action, Ali Ahmed came close to putting the Whitecaps on the board first in the 22nd minute. He created a point-blank chance off a steal that was saved by Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo.
Wrexham’s goal came after Revan fired the ball past Vancouver ‘keeper Isaac Boehmer after a tidy cross from Andy Cannon was deflected to him by Lee.
Whitecaps coach Vanni Sartini received a yellow card caution after the goal.
Both teams made extensive substitutions during the second half, with the Whitecaps looking ahead to Leagues Cup action in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson continues to assess his roster ahead of his squad’s debut this August in England’s League One.
Okonkwo left with a clean sheet after the first half, replaced by Mark Howard. Boehmer exited in the 62nd minute with one goal allowed as Joe Bendik took over.
Vancouver drew even in the 55th minute when Pedro Vite popped the ball loose to Ahmed, who fed Giuseppe Bovalina for the shot.
In the 68th minute, a wide-open McClean paced a perfect header past Bendik as Wrexham re-took the lead. Lee followed up in the 71st minute before Davies closed out the scoring in the 82nd minute.
Wrexham returns to The Racecourse Ground in Wales to finish out its pre-season against Fleetwood on Aug. 3. The Red Dragons will host the Wycombe Wanderers for their League One debut on Aug. 10.
After visiting LAFC, Vancouver hosts Club Tijuana in Leagues Cup action at BC Place on Aug. 3.
NOTES:
“¢ Former Whitecap and current Canadian national team captain Alphonso Davies took in the match from a box.
“¢ The Whitecaps signed six players from their second team to short-term agreements ahead of Saturday’s game. Defender Finn Linder was featured in the starting lineup, and all six saw match action.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 27, 2024.
