Ryan Reynolds' Wrexham AFC to play Vancouver Whitecaps in July
Wrexham AFC, co-owned by Canadian actor and Vancouver native Ryan Reynolds, is set to play Major League Soccer's Vancouver Whitecaps on July 27 at BC Place Stadium.
It will be the last of Wrexham AFC's three North American matches this summer as part of their 2024 Wrex Coast Tour.
Preceding the Vancouver visit, Wrexham will face English Premier League competition in California, against Bournemouth on July 20 in Santa Barbara, and Chelsea FC on July 24 in Santa Clara.
Wrexham has shot to prominence since Reynolds and fellow Hollywood actor Rob McElhenney purchased the club in 2020.
The club, which was languishing in English soccer's fifth tier at the time of the purchase, has achieved two successive promotions under its Hollywood ownership.
Next season, the team will compete in League One, two levels below the EPL.
The club has been featured in the immensely popular Emmy award-winning Welcome to Wrexham docu-series on FX.
Reynolds has been a longtime Whitecaps supporter.
“Last year Rob got to bring Wrexham to Philly. This year it's my turn,” Reynolds said in a statement. “I am so excited my hometown club the Whitecaps will get to square off against the Red Dragons.
“My official stance on the match will be a very friendly 'neutral' even if I will be screaming for a Paul Mullin hat trick.”
Wrexham, founded in 1864, is the oldest professional soccer club in Wales, and the third oldest in the world.
“This is an exciting opportunity for our club, as we celebrate our 50th anniversary season, t wrexham o play a team as storied as Wrexham AFC,” said Vancouver Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster. “We're delighted to be able to welcome our visitors from Wales, and welcome Ryan Reynolds back home to Vancouver.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 25, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW What a wildfire survivor says she regrets not grabbing before leaving home
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
World No. 1 golfer charged with police officer assault before PGA Championship second round
World number one golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested and charged with the assault of a police officer in what he called a 'chaotic situation' before being released in time to start his second round at the PGA Championship on Friday.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
B.C. optometrist warns against trending eye colour change procedure
A medical procedure that can permanently change a person's eye colour may be trending on social media, but a B.C. optometrist is warning about the significant risks associated.
Australia's richest woman seeks removal of her portrait from exhibition
Art is subjective. And while many artists long to share their work with the world, there's no guarantee that the audience will understand it, or even like it.
An airplane passenger was spotted in an overhead bin. This was the reaction
Airplane overhead compartments. Home to luggage of all shapes and sizes, the odd coat or two, several duty-free bags, a fair bit of dust and… passengers?
WATCH Infectious disease expert warns measles 'a very real threat'
A Canadian epidemiologist is warning the measles presents a 'very real threat' to public health if Canada doesn't maintain a high vaccination rate.
Judge considers dismissing indictment against Alec Baldwin in fatal shooting of cinematographer
A New Mexico judge is considering Alec Baldwin's request to dismiss a grand jury indictment against him at a virtual court hearing Friday.
LIVE @ 11:30 MT Four 1970s homicides linked to serial killer, Alberta Mounties to reveal Friday
A dead serial sexual offender and killer has been linked to four homicides in the 1970s in Alberta, RCMP say.