In a thrilling display of soccer, Ryan Reynolds witnessed his co-owned team, Wrexham AFC, triumph over the Vancouver Whitecaps with a score of 4-1 at BC Place on Saturday night. This match marked Wrexham’s first visit to Vancouver, a city that holds special significance for Reynolds, who was born and raised there.
The game was officially categorized as a neutral-site international friendly, yet the atmosphere was anything but neutral. A crowd of 34,738 fans filled the stadium, many proudly sporting red and white Wrexham jerseys and scarves, showcasing their support for the Welsh club. The excitement in the air was palpable as fans cheered for their favorite players, including Ollie Palmer and Jordan Davies, who have gained popularity through the FX docuseries “Welcome to Wrexham.”
Reynolds, fresh off a press tour for his latest film “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which premiered in theaters just a day prior, took in the match from a luxury box alongside his fellow co-chair, Rob McElhenney. The win was a significant boost for Wrexham, coming after two draws against Premier League teams Bournemouth and Chelsea during their weeklong “Wrex Coast Tour” in California.
Wrexham’s manager, Phil Parkinson, expressed satisfaction with the performance, noting the importance of the match as a preparation exercise for the upcoming League One season. “You can see Vancouver has some real talented players out there in terms of intelligent footballers,” he remarked. “The rotations are good. They can turn sharp on the ball. And I thought it was a great exercise for us to deal with that kind of rotation all over the pitch.”
The match began with Wrexham taking control early on. Sebastian Revan opened the scoring in the first half, capitalizing on a deflected cross from Andy Cannon. The goal set the tone for the rest of the match, as Wrexham demonstrated their attacking prowess.
In the second half, the Whitecaps managed to equalize in the 55th minute when Giuseppe Bovalina found the back of the net, following a well-placed pass from Ahmed. However, Wrexham quickly regained the lead, with James McClean scoring a header just six minutes later. Elliot Lee and Jordan Davies added to the tally, sealing a convincing victory for the Red Dragons.
Despite the loss, Whitecaps coach Vanni Sartini remained optimistic, highlighting the significance of the event. “This tells you the power of storytelling,” he said. “Wrexham tells a story with the documentary, with how people get behind the thing even if they’re so far apart, even if they’re not soccer fans or whatever.”
Wrexham’s victory was not just a win on the scoreboard; it was a testament to the growing popularity of the club, especially in North America. The team’s journey, documented in the series, has captivated audiences and brought a new level of attention to the club.
As the match concluded, Reynolds and McElhenney celebrated with the team, acknowledging the hard work and dedication that led to their success. The presence of both owners undoubtedly added an extra layer of motivation for the players, who are accustomed to performing under the watchful eyes of their fans and the media.
Looking ahead, Wrexham is set to return to Wales to continue their pre-season preparations, with a match against Fleetwood on August 3. The team is gearing up for their League One debut against Wycombe Wanderers on August 10, a significant milestone following their back-to-back promotions.
Meanwhile, the Vancouver Whitecaps are also preparing for their upcoming matches, including a Leagues Cup group stage match against LAFC and a Cup action game against Club Tijuana at BC Place on August 3.
As the soccer season progresses, both teams will be looking to build on their experiences from this match. For Wrexham, the victory serves as a confidence booster as they transition into a new league, while the Whitecaps will aim to regroup and focus on their upcoming challenges.
In the end, the match was more than just a friendly; it was a celebration of soccer, community, and the power of storytelling that brings fans together, regardless of the teams they support.
Source: The Canadian Press
