Wrexham started their preseason tour of North America’s west coast with a reputable 1-1 draw in opposition to Premier League Bournemouth in Santa Barbara, California, on Saturday.
In entrance of a sell-out crowd at More durable Stadium on the campus of the College of California, Santa Barbara, Wrexham took the lead in first-half stoppage time when Bournemouth defender James Hill headed a nook into his personal internet.
However Bournemouth got here on sturdy within the second half following six half-time adjustments and levelled within the 53rd minute when considered one of their substitutes, Marcos Senesi, scored with a close-range header.
Having withstood additional heavy strain, Wrexham got here again into the match after making a full set of 11 adjustments halfway by means of the second interval. Phil Parkinson’s aspect even had probabilities to retake the lead and declare a notable preseason win.
A draw was nonetheless a formidable outcome for Wrexham in opposition to a workforce two divisions above them. It’s simply two seasons in the past that 4 divisions separated the groups, earlier than Wrexham secured back-to-back promotions to maneuver as much as League One.
Wrexham had been additionally with out final season’s main scorer Paul Mullin after he underwent minor spinal surgical procedure in June. They had been, nonetheless, cheered on by one half of their Hollywood possession pairing, Rob McElhenney.
Bournemouth additionally had some star energy in attendance, with minority proprietor Michael B. Jordan watching on from the sidelines because the Cherries performed within the new jerseys he helped design.
Additionally on the sidelines was United States worldwide Tyler Adams, after supervisor Andoni Iraola revealed Friday that the midfielder underwent again surgical procedure following the USMNT’s Copa América exit and can miss the beginning of Bournemouth’s Premier League season.
Wrexham will subsequent play Chelsea in Santa Clara, California, on Wednesday earlier than concluding their tour in Vancouver, the hometown of their different movie star proprietor Ryan Reynolds, in opposition to the Whitecaps of MLS. The Welsh membership begins their League One season on Aug. 10 in opposition to Wycombe Wanderers.
