Wrexham executive director Humphrey Ker says America’s reaction to the team this summer has exceeded their wildest expectations.
The Welsh club have become one of the most talked-about teams in the world since Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took charge 30 months ago.
The ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ docuseries has seen the club wins hearts and minds across the world, with that blossoming fandom clear during this summer’s US tour.
More than 50,000 were in attendance for last week’s friendly against Chelsea in North Carolina and many of the 34,248 at Tuesday’s friendly against Manchester United’s youngsters were rooting for the League Two club.
“It’s been extraordinary, really,” actor and club executive director Ker told the PA news agency.
“We hoped with the success of the documentary that people would turn out to see us and visit us and be happy to have us here.
“It’s exceeded our wildest expectations, really, in every stop on the journey.”
Ker has found the lengths people have gone to in the US to watch Wrexham “pretty humbling”, underlining a growth that shows few signs of slowing.
Asked if the club’s rapid rise has surpassed his expectations, he said: “Oh, definitely.
“We always felt that with a bit of an injection of money and love and attention, the club could start to rise up the ranks in the UK.
“But to be at this stage after two and a half years of being in the US, playing a team like Manchester United in front of a sold out 35,000 crowd is pretty extraordinary.”
Wrexham won Tuesday’s match 3-1 against 10-man United in San Diego after recovering from star striker Paul Mullin’s early injury at Snapdragon Stadium.
It was a memorable victory but the League Two club have tried to make the experience about more than the match, bringing a little slice of Wales with them to the US with their fan fest.
“It’s very cool,” Ker said. “We’ve been pretty overwhelmed with the response to everything.
“I think I think we’ve tried to meet enthusiasm with enthusiasm. I talked to a couple today, they came in from Colorado this morning, some folk they come from Utah, they come from all over the US.
“So, we want to make sure there’s a good thing for them to attend.”
McElhenney was loving Tuesday’s match – a game fellow owner Reynolds had to watch from afar as he is filming Deadpool 3 in the UK.
“I think he slightly cursed our names when he worked out that he was going to be in the UK for the summer and we were going to be over here,” Ker said with a smile about Reynolds’ absence.
“But, you know, the great thing about that is it gives them lots of opportunities to come and see league games. We’re back in action in about 10 days’ time so he’ll have his chance.”
Navas to leave PSG at end of season
Keylor Navas has confirmed that he will leave Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Navas joined PSG in 2019, making 113 appearances for the club while keeping 51 clean sheets. He won nine major honours with the French club, including three Ligue 1 titles and two Coupe de France medals. He also collected a Champions League runner-up medal in 2019-20.
Navas served as the first-choice goalkeeper for the first two seasons but has struggled for playing time since Gianluigi Donnarumma joined the club in 2021.
Since returning to PSG after a loan spell at Nottingham Forest, Navas has made just three Ligue 1 appearances this campaign.
In a statement on social media, Navas confirmed that he would be leaving the French capital and will use their home game against Toulouse on Sunday to say goodbye to the fans.
He said: “Every second spent at the Parc des Princes was wonderful.
“Thank God, I have always felt love and encouragement.
“It was an honour to defend this badge in this incredible stadium.
“I still have some goals to accomplish, but I didn't want to miss the opportunity to say goodbye to what used to be my home.”
His departure follows the news that Kylian Mbappe will also be leaving the Ligue 1 champions, with the forward making his announcement on Friday.
Ten Hag does not regret taking Man Utd job
Erik ten Hag insists he has never regretted taking the job as Manchester United manager.
United finished third, reached the FA Cup final, and ended their six-year wait for a trophy by winning the EFL Cup in Ten Hag’s first season in charge.
The Dutchman’s second season has not lived up to the first, as United sit in eighth, with a European place slipping away from them.
With a year still left on his contract, Ten Hag is under increasing pressure following a poor run of results, including a humbling 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace on Monday.
"I don't regret being here for one second," said Ten Hag.
"This is a massive club. You don't know the challenges you have to face until you are in it. But I wanted this challenge."
Ten Hag once again highlighted their injury troubles, especially in defence, as one of their main struggles this season.
Reports emerged following the Palace defeat that the United players no longer backed their manager, but Ten Hag rejected that suggestion.
"There is great team spirit. In almost every game they fought," he added.
"Not on Monday [at Palace], that is why I was so disappointed. But in all the other games they have fought. I can't have any doubts about this."
United host Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday, as Mikel Arteta’s side aim to go back to the top of the Premier League table.
Despite being favourites to win the game, Arteta praised Ten Hag as a coach and said the club should give him more time.
When asked about the Dutchman’s position, Arteta said: "I can only talk about what I think about him as a coach. He's an excellent coach. I admire his teams, both Ajax and United.
"Hopefully he gets the time because we are colleagues, and we know how difficult it is in this league and what the margins are - hopefully that's the case because I think he is an excellent coach."
Inter Miami came from behind once more to beat CF Montreal 3-2 and go three points clear at the top of the Eastern Conference.
For the sixth match in a row, Miami found themselves behind when Bryce Duke slotted in the 22nd minute, and Jules-Anthony Vislant, who set up the opener, finished off a lovely team move 10 minutes later.
However, Miami displayed their fighting spirit again. Matias Rojas stepped up to a free-kick while Lionel Messi received treatment, curling a delightful strike into the top corner.
Shortly before the break, Luis Suarez turned the ball into an empty net while Benjamin Cremaschi completed the comeback in the 59th minute when he bundled it over the line after being picked out by Rojas.
Miami hold a three-point lead over Supporters’ Shield holders FC Cincinnati at the top of the East, with the Orange and Blue keeping pace with a 2-1 win over Columbus Crew.
Data Debrief: Comeback Kings
Miami have won 20 points from losing positions already in the MLS this season, more than any other team. It is the first time they have come from 2-0 down to win since a 3-2 victory over Charlotte in July 2022.
On a quiet day for Messi by his standards, Suarez stepped up with a crucial goal, netting his 11th of the season to equalise. The Uruguayan has now scored in each of his last three matches.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
