A Night of Drama in Tampa
The night air in Tampa was electric as Wrexham AFC faced Leeds United in a pre‑season friendly at Raymond James Stadium, a venue more accustomed to NFL action than soccer. The Welsh side seized early momentum, but the match quickly unfolded into a showcase of resilience and attacking flair.
Kierrer Moore opened the scoring after just one minute, only for Bailey Cadamarteri to restore the lead in the 41st minute. Leeds fought back to level at 2‑2 through Sean Longstaff, before Sam Smith sealed a 3‑2 victory for the Welsh side in the 85th minute, sending the home crowd into celebration.
The encounter was part of TEG Sport’s 2026 USA Summer Tour, a series of exhibition fixtures that will also take the teams to Nashville, New York, New Jersey, Chicago and Philadelphia, bringing top‑flight soccer to new markets and offering fans across the United States a rare glimpse of Premier League and Championship talent on home soil.
Wrexham’s surge in popularity, amplified by the hit documentary series “Welcome to Wrexham,” has attracted high‑profile investors, including Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who co‑own the club and have helped reshape its global brand, turning a small Welsh team into a cultural phenomenon.
Leeds United, freshly promoted back to the Premier League after a two‑year absence, used the match as a warm‑up ahead of a demanding domestic campaign, while the tour underscores the growing appetite for transatlantic soccer friendlies that blend competitive spirit with commercial ambition.