Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson expressed his excitement as the club embarks on another high-profile pre-season tour in the United States. He stated that the team feels “privileged” to have received an invitation to return.

Parkinson’s squad is set to fly to the US this week, where they will compete against Premier League teams including Leeds United, Liverpool, and Sunderland.

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The Championship club has previously drawn large crowds in America, thanks mainly to their heightened global profile under owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, as well as the success of the “Welcome to Wrexham” documentary series.

“It’s a real privilege for us to be invited back there and attract the games and to be invited to play three Premier League clubs,” Parkinson noted. “When I speak to people around the country, a lot of the Premier League clubs would like to be in America. But getting the games and the tour has been difficult because of the World Cup.”

“It’s quite amazing for us, and we never take it for granted at all,” he added, emphasizing the importance of the experience for the team. “It’s very special to be part of a Wrexham squad travelling across the Atlantic and I want the lads to appreciate that.”

Wrexham is gearing up for its second consecutive season in the Championship, with their first match against Leeds taking place in Tampa on Sunday, July 26. They will then face Liverpool in New York four days later, followed by a final pre-season game against Sunderland, Parkinson’s former club, on Sunday, August 2, in Philadelphia.

After touring the US in 2023 and 2024 against teams like Manchester United and Chelsea, Wrexham is returning this year following a pre-season spent in Australia and New Zealand.

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“The three tours we’ve had have been absolutely incredible,” Parkinson said. “The memories created on those trips, the games, the places we’ve visited, and the reception the club has had in the US have been absolutely amazing. We’re looking forward to getting out there again.”

He added, “There’s been an air of anticipation for this trip because of the stadiums we’re playing at and the opposition we’re facing. Obviously, we haven’t been there for two years, but last time we went, the attendances were impressive. The atmospheres and the support we had were brilliant, and it’s good to be taking another group of players with us.”

Parkinson noted that many players’ families will join them in America, creating a shared experience for the players. “But obviously the lads know when we’re out there, there’s a real focus on what we’ve got to do on the training pitch and in the games,” he added.

However, forward Ryan Hardie will miss the trip due to a thigh strain, while Ryan Longman is expected to resume full training during the journey to the States. Elliot Lee, who missed last week’s 1-0 win over Manchester United in Helsinki, will also make the trip. “He’s going to come on the trip because we feel that he should be in contention for the second game,” Parkinson explained. “But we want to keep Elliot with us because he’s in good physical shape. Even if he doesn’t get many minutes out there, it’s important for him to continue his training and maintain his fitness.”

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