Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham AFC beat hometown Whitecaps 4-1 in Vancouver

VANCOUVER — Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds watched Wrexham AFC defeat his hometown Vancouver Whitecaps 4-1 on Saturday night at BC Place.

Wrexham, an English Third Division club co-owned by Reynolds and made famous by the documentary series “Welcome to Wrexham”, made its first trip to Vancouver.

The match was played at the Whitecaps’ stadium and was officially an international friendly on a neutral ground, but many of the 34,738 fans were dressed in red and white shirts and scarves and were happy that Wrexham had won.

Sebastian Revan, James McClean, Elliot Lee and Jordan Davies scored for Wrexham, while Giuseppe Bovalina replied for Vancouver. Wrexham led the scoring 10-4 (6-3 on target).

Vancouver-born Reynolds had just returned from his lightning-fast press tour for the movie “Deadpool & Wolverine”, which opened in cinemas on Friday, and was watching the match from a box office with his Wrexham co-chair Rob McElhenney.

It was the first win for Wrexham on the week-long ‘2024 Wrex Coast Tour’, after two draws against Premier League clubs Bournemouth and Chelsea in California.

Amid the early back-and-forth action, Ali Ahmed came close to putting the Whitecaps first on the scoreboard in the 22nd minute, creating a close-range chance after a steal that was saved by Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo.

Wrexham scored the goal after Revan fired the ball past Vancouver keeper Isaac Boehmer after a cross from Andy Cannon was squeezed back into him by Lee.

Whitecaps coach Vanni Sartini received a yellow card after the goal.

Both teams made extensive substitutions in the second half, with the Whitecaps looking ahead to Leagues Cup action in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson continues to assess his squad ahead of his team’s English League One debut in August.

Okonkwo left with a clean sheet after the first half, replaced by Mark Howard. Boehmer left the field in the 62nd minute with one goal to his credit when Joe Bendik took over.

Vancouver leveled in the 55th minute when Pedro Vite played the ball loose to Ahmed, who shot past Giuseppe Bovalina.

In the 68th minute, a wide-open McClean headed a perfect header past Bendik to put Wrexham back in front. Lee followed in the 71st minute, before Davies closed the scoring in the 82nd minute.

Wrexham return to The Racecourse Ground in Wales to conclude their pre-season campaign against Fleetwood on August 3, while the Red Dragons host Wycombe Wanderers for their League One debut on August 10.

After visiting LAFC, Vancouver hosts Club Tijuana for a Leagues Cup match at BC Place on August 3.

COMMENTS:

• Former Whitecap and current Canadian national team captain Alphonso Davies watched the game from a box.

• The Whitecaps signed six players from their second team to short-term contracts ahead of Saturday’s game. Defender Finn Linder was in the starting lineup and all six saw action in the game.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 27, 2024.

Carol Schram, The Canadian Press