By Canadian Press

Vancouver Whitecaps to host Ryan Reynolds-owned Wrexham AFC in late July contest

Apr 25, 2024 | 7:01 AM

VANCOUVER — 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 is the oldest professional soccer club in Wales, and the third oldest in the world, having been founded in 1864.

The team 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 new ownership.

The club has been featured in the immensely popular Emmy award-winning Welcome to Wrexham docu-series on FX.

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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.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 25, 2024.

The Canadian Press