Union II’s long-awaited club friendly against Wrexham A.F.C., is quickly approaching. On Friday July 28th, Subaru Park will host the final fixture of the Welsh team’s four-game summer tour across the United States, which has featured play against Chelsea F.C., LA Galaxy II, and Manchester United.
Wrexham is a historic pillar in soccer – it’s the third-oldest professional association football team in the world, competing in English Football League Two which is the fourth level of the English Football League system. Their group sits behind League One, Championship, and Premier League. The club was recently promoted to the EFL after a 15-year hiatus, instead playing in the National League. In the spring, they defeated Boreham Wood in the NL Championship, earning their spot at the next level.
Entrance into a higher-tiered league is just one of innumerable changes the club has faced as of late. Most notably has been their shift in leadership – in 2020, Wrexham was purchased by Ryan Reynolds and Philadelphia native Rob McElhenney, sparking the creation of the Hulu documentary Welcome to Wrexham that follows the pair’s experience at the helm. Upon its release, the show was an instant hit, gaining international attention that created a new demographic of fans from around the world.
One of Rob and Ryan’s early alterations to the club’s structure was the hiring of Phil Parkinson as the team’s manager in 2021.
Parkinson’s squad has won two of their first three matches in the states, most recently defeating European foe Manchester United in San Diego.
Though the scoreboard favored Wrexham, the team’s starting English striker Paul Mullin suffered a punctured lung that will sideline him for the team’s opening match of the new EFL season against Milton Keynes Dons F.C. on August 5.
Fans can expect Wrexham to field the remainder of their starters on the pitch at Subaru Park for the full 90-minutes, per a statement from Parkinson early in the week.
As for the Philadelphia side, the gameday lineup is presently unconfirmed. The squad had a bright start to the week, defeating defending MLS Next Pro champs Columbus Crew 2 for the second time this year.
The team put on a dominant club tying six-goal performance, handily overtaking Crew 2’s shorthanded team. Philadelphia’s opponent lost their lone goalie, Stas Lapkes, early after he earned a red card in the sixth minute, depleting their squad to 10. Midfielder Clay Holstad took Lapkes’ gloves to try his hand at net-protecting, but he was no match for the Union’s relentless attack.
Union II is in the midst of a five-game unbeaten streak and they’ll look to extend it outside of MLS NEXT Pro play in front of what is predicted to be the largest home crowd in Union II/Bethlehem Steel history.
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