Ryan Reynolds' Wrexham AFC U21s seek redemption against Halifax in P.E.I. rematch
'Hopefully we'll be able to step up in terms of performance level,' says coach
Wrexham AFC's under-21 team is in Charlottetown this week, eager for a second shot at the Halifax Wanderers.
The Welsh soccer club, one of the oldest in the world, is in Canada as part of the 2025 International Summer Series. It's playing a three-match series against the Halifax-based team, with the second match set for Wednesday at 6 p.m. at UPEI in Charlottetown.
Wrexham's U21 squad suffered a 3-0 loss in its first encounter with Halifax on Saturday, but striker Rio Owen said the experience has been invaluable.
"The players we're against, they were quite quick, strong," Owen told CBC News. "It was a great experience for all of the lads and a new learning curve for all of us to take forward."
Wrexham has gained international fame since Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought the club in 2021. Their ownership, and the hit documentary series Welcome to Wrexham, has turned the team into a global brand.
For many of Wrexham's young players, including Owen, this trip has been their first time playing in front of large, unfamiliar crowds.
Last week, thousands packed into the Wanderers Grounds to watch the game, which Owen said is a big contrast to the usual spectators, often just parents or friends, back home.
"Out here, it's totally different, random people you don't know about watching you. Obviously, they're supporting Halifax, so… you might get a bit of stick on the other fans," he said.
"We're not used to it, and before the match, we were all nervous. Big crowds, everyone's watching."
'We're looking to create new bonds'
Nick Chadwick, who coaches the team and leads the club's player development program, echoed Owen's sentiments.
He said the international tour is about more than just match results.
"The players that we've got here are young players, players who are learning and on a journey," he said.
"So it doesn't matter if we were playing one of the Canadian teams out here or a Spanish team or a team back home, there's plenty of learning opportunities for these young players at the minute, and we're looking to maximize that over here in Canada."
With so many first-year players in the squad, Chadwick said the goal is not only to improve the performance and physical outputs of the players, but also to build team chemistry.
"We're looking to create new bonds, new relations within the group."
As for the upcoming match in Charlottetown, Chadwick said fans can expect to see some new faces on both sides of the pitch.
"Everybody looks forward to the games," he said. "We've done some good work between the last game and this one, so hopefully we'll be able to step up in terms of performance level."
With files from Connor Lamont