Wrexham A.F.C. land in the USA with a fresh squad
Wrexham A.F.C. touched down in America for their first pre-season tour of the United States since 2024 with a 28-man squad under Phil Parkinson. The Reds arrived fresh off a seventh-place finish in the Championship last term, just two points shy of the play-offs.
Parkinson’s side have already played two friendlies in quick succession, including a goalless draw against Wisła Kraków in Poland and a 1-0 win over Manchester United in Helsinki. Injuries ruled out Ryan Hardie for the trip, but the manager is banking on the extended time together to tighten bonds across the group.
Why the extended bonding matters for Wrexham A.F.C.
The tour is the first chance for most of the current crop to gel outside Wales. Parkinson said the squad’s buzz is palpable after a season together, yet this is still a fresh group in many ways.
“You can sense that there’s a good camaraderie between the group,” Parkinson said. “We’ve been together for a season now, and it’s about working on those relationships on and off the pitch, cementing what we did last season.”
Only a handful of players-Max Cleworth and Elliott Lee-have been on every pre-season trip with Wrexham A.F.C. The rest are rookies on this tour, and Parkinson reckons the atmosphere around the Racecourse Ground has lifted accordingly.
Who’s in and who’s out for Wrexham A.F.C. in America
Parkinson named a 28-man party for the USA swing, with Josh Windass, Cleworth and Ben Sheaf all fit after injury niggles. Hardie’s thigh strain keeps him sidelined, but youngsters Aaron Davies, Harry Ashfield and Alex Moore get fresh runs.
“Obviously the lads who travelled who didn’t get any minutes, equally it’s beneficial for them to be around the first-team environment,” Parkinson added. “The lads who’ve had some game time-Ashfield, Moore and Alan James-have been superb.”
Four Academy graduates travelled without minutes but Parkinson stressed the dressing-room exposure alone is a career step.
What’s next for Wrexham A.F.C. in pre-season
Wrexham A.F.C. face Leeds United, Liverpool and Sunderland across the tour, a rare chance to test the new faces against Premier League opposition. Parkinson’s side finished seventh last season, two points adrift of the play-offs, and the gaffer is keen to keep sharpening the squad.
“It’s early days really in terms of where we need to be,” Parkinson said. “But it’s going to be good to get all the boys together for an extended period.”
