In a thrilling showcase of international football, Wrexham AFC and AFC Bournemouth ended their preseason friendly in a 1-1 stalemate. The match drew a crowd of 13,500 eager fans to UC Santa Barbara’s Harder Stadium on Saturday.
Wrexham, playing two leagues below the Premier League contestant Bournemouth, surprisingly led at halftime thanks to an own goal by Bournemouth in the final moments of the first half. The goal came off a corner kick, putting Wrexham ahead before the break.
Not to be outdone, Bournemouth rallied in the second half. Marco Senesi, with an assist from Phillip Billing, leveled the score with a header in the 53rd minute. Both teams had multiple opportunities to take the lead following the equalizer, but the first preseason game of their Transatlantic trip ended without further changes to the scoreboard.
The match wasn’t just a sporting spectacle but also attracted celebrities to UCSB. Wrexham’s co-owner and actor, Rob McElhenney, was present to support his team, the Red Dragons.
McElhenney, along with actor Ryan Reynolds, are Chairmen of the Wrexham A.F.C. and created the Emmy-winning documentary television show titled “Welcome to Wrexham” following the team’s purchase and progress over the past three seasons.
Actor Michael B. Jordan was spotted amongst the fans, showing his support for Bournemouth. Jordan, who has a vested interest in the club, also contributed by designing the team’s kits for the occasion.
Despite the challenging heat, both teams delivered an engaging and competitive performance that left fans delighted.
This preseason match not only provided valuable game time for the squads but also underscored Harder Stadium’s reputation as a premier destination for top-tier soccer events, living up to its moniker, Soccer Heaven.
Wrexham will continue its “Wrex Coast Tour” with a match against Chelsea Football Club in Santa Clara on July 24 and another match against the Vancouver Whitecaps in Vancouver, Canada on July 27.
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