Wrexham Have Hollywood. Leeds Have Yorkshire

The World Cup is over, America has barely had time to recover and Leeds United have arrived to show them how football is really done.

Or soccer, if we absolutely must.

Tonight Leeds face Wrexham in Tampa. Officially it’s a pre-season friendly, although Leeds United and the word “friendly” have never been particularly well acquainted.

Wrexham’s rise has certainly been impressive. Hollywood owners, a documentary, increasingly large piles of money and three consecutive promotions have taken them from the National League to the Championship.

Last season they finished seventh, just two points outside the play-offs, so close to the Premier League they could almost smell the overpriced pints and hear VAR ruining their weekend.

And tonight they get a little preview of what awaits if Ryan Reynolds keeps the chequebook open.

Leeds United Store: https://leedsunited.sjv.io/09rJdJ

Premier League Leeds United.

Think of it as an educational evening.

Wrexham have Hollywood, Netflix and celebrity owners.

Leeds have Yorkshire, European history, decades of chaos and supporters capable of turning a meaningless pre-season friendly 4,000 miles from Elland Road into a matter of national importance.

Different approaches. Same sport.

The United States has just spent a month hosting the biggest football tournament on earth. Now it gets the advanced course.

Leeds fans abroad.

Expect shirts, songs, questionable sunburn and at least one bloke explaining to an American why “soccer” is an unacceptable word while standing inside a stadium containing an actual pirate ship.

From outside the UK, the UK Soccer Shop remains a popular choice: https://uksoccershop.sjv.io/XmDrNM

For Wrexham, it’s a chance to test themselves against Premier League opposition and perhaps pick up a few tips about making that final step to the top flight.

For Leeds United fans, there’s also the small matter of potentially getting a first look at new boys Harry Wilson and Tarik Muharemović in a Leeds shirt. Both have made the trip Stateside, so tonight could offer our first glimpse of what the summer shopping has brought us so far.

[credit @premierleague]

And nothing says “don’t get carried away in pre-season” quite like declaring a new signing the bargain of the century after 23 minutes against Wrexham in Florida.

For Leeds, it’s minutes in the legs, fitness and absolutely nothing whatsoever to get emotionally invested in. It’s only a friendly, after all, the result means nothing.

Unless Leeds win. Then it absolutely counts.

Leeds United v Wrexham
📍 Tampa
🇺🇸 7:30pm
🇬🇧 12:30am

Consider this your post-World Cup encore, United States of America.
Leeds United are Marching On Together across the USA