Vancouver Whitecaps to host Ryan Reynolds-owned Wrexham AFC

Wrexham AFC, the Welsh soccer club co-owned by Vancouver actor Ryan Reynolds, is set to play theVancouver Whitecaps at B.C. Place Stadium on July 27.

The game against the Major League Soccer team will be the last of three North American matches this summer forWrexham, which has shot to prominence since Reynolds and fellow Hollywood actor Rob McElhenney purchased the club in 2020.

"Last year Rob got to bring Wrexham to Philly. This year it's my turn," Reynolds,a longtime Whitecaps supporter, 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," he added, referring to the Wrexham forward.

Wrexham AFC,which was languishing in English soccer's fifth tier at the time of the purchase, has achieved two successive promotions under its famous ownership.

Next season, the team will compete in League One, two levels below the English Premier League (EPL).

Founded in 1864, Wrexham is the oldest professional soccer club in Walesand the third oldest in the world. The club has been featured in the immensely popular, Emmy award-winning docu-series Welcome to Wrexham on FX.

Before travelling to B.C. on its 2024 Wrex Coast Tour, the Welsh club will face EPLcompetition in California, against Bournemouth on July 20 in Santa Barbara, and Chelsea FC on July 24 in Santa Clara.

"This is an exciting opportunity for our club, as we celebrate our 50th anniversary season, to 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."