Chelsea and Wrexham engaged in a heated pre-season match in Santa Clara, California, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
The match was marked by a brawl between Chelsea’s Levi Colwill and Wrexham’s James McClean, sparked by a late challenge from McClean.
The incident led to a shirt-grabbing tussle between the two players, requiring teammates to intervene and separate them.
Despite the tensions, Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson praised his team’s performance, highlighting their determination and resilience against a Chelsea team with a significantly larger budget.
Parkinson noted that Chelsea’s heavy spending in recent transfer windows has created a substantial financial disparity between the clubs.
“We faced a team with a massive budget and held our own,” Parkinson said. “In the first half, we defended well, and in the second half, we improved our play and scored two goals. The players put in a tremendous effort, and I’m very pleased.”
Parkinson also acknowledged the progress Wrexham has made, contrasting their current status with their past in the National League.
He expressed pride in his team’s ability to hold their own against a top-tier club like Chelsea, despite the numerous second-half substitutions made by the opposing team.
The match saw Chelsea take an early lead with a goal from Christopher Nkunku, but Wrexham responded with goals from Luke Bolton and Jack Marriott.
Chelsea equalized late in the game with a goal from Lesley Ugochukwu, securing a 2-2 draw.
The incident between Colwill and McClean added a layer of intensity to the match, but ultimately did not detract from Wrexham’s impressive performance.
Parkinson’s team demonstrated their ability to compete against top-level opponents, and their determination and resilience will likely serve them well in future matches.
As Chelsea prepares to face Celtic at the Notre Dame Stadium in Indiana, they will likely look to build on their performance against Wrexham.
Meanwhile, Wrexham can take pride in their ability to hold their own against a top-tier club, and will look to continue their progress in upcoming matches.
