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Fans sporting red Wrexham shirts outnumbered
those backing MLS reserve team LA Galaxy II at the friendly in
Carson, which was won 4-0 by the visitors in the second of the
club's four-match 'USA Invasion' tour.
Marveling at the scene from the sidelines was Wayne Jones, owner
of The Turf pub and a breakout star of "Welcome to Wrexham,"
which chronicles Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob
McElhenney's takeover of the club since November 2020.
"We've had an incredible welcome and we're absolutely stoked to
be here. It's such a brilliant city and massive compared to what
we're used to," Jones told Reuters at halftime.
He said the Welsh team, who in April got their Hollywood ending
when they were promoted to the English Football League after a
15-year absence, were "light years" away from where they had
been three years ago.
"Every day Wrexham fans wake up and pinch themselves because
we've had a real rough ride in the past two or three decades, so
to be where we are now is incredible," he said.
Fans sipped on Wrexham-themed drinks at a replica of The Turf
pub on a warm Southern California night and, despite being
swamped at every turn by photo-seeking fans, Jones balked at the
suggestion that he was now famous.
"I don't see myself as a celebrity, I just work at a bar. I see
myself as a humble, down to earth, working class guy," he said.
"We're on the rides of our lives at the moment but ultimately
what we care about is the community and the football club and if
both of them are thriving, which both appear to be, we will
embrace it."
Wrexham face Manchester United on Tuesday in San Diego before
wrapping up their tour with a visit to Chester, Pennsylvania for
a match against Bethlehem Steel on Saturday.
Season two of "Welcome to Wrexham" is set to begin streaming in
the U.S. on Sept. 12.
(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Ken
Ferris)
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