A TRICKY test awaits Wrexham against Chelsea tonight but Tom O'Connor felt the Reds matched the Premier League giants off the pitch when they met last year!

Phil Parkinson's men, preparing for the new League One campaign, play the second game of the pre-season tour to North America against the Blues in Santa Clara, California.

The teams faced each other in a friendly 12 months ago at the Kenan Memorial Stadium at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with Chelsea winning 5-0.

The game was played in front of a sell-out crowd of 50,596 and Wrexham - backed by their new legion of American supporters - weren't in the minority in the stands, according to O'Connor.

"It was good last year playing Manchester United and Chelsea, it was something different playing the American teams and it will be nice to experience playing Vancouver this year in Canada," said the centre-back, who has helped the Reds' clinch back-to-back promotions for the first time in the club's history.

"It was a great experience with the fans we have got in America and we filled out two big stadiums so that was nice playing in front of packed stadiums.

“It was great seeing all the fans coming to see the games and there were probably more Wrexham fans there than the other teams like Chelsea which is mad.

"Hopefully it is the same at the games this time and we have the same support out there again.

"It is good to play friendlies that local fans can see back home but it was definitely a unique experience going over there and playing friendlies.

"It's unreal. Even Championship clubs don't do this."

O'Connor, brought in from League One outfit Burton Albion in January 2022, made the trip to America with his team-mates on the back of signing a new contract, keeping him at The Racecourse until the end of the 2026-27 season.

The 25-year-old, who has made 80 appearances in all competitions for Wrexham, still had one year remaining on his previous deal but jumped at the chance to commit his future to the Reds.

"It was no brainer," said O'Connor,  a product of Southampton’s academy who has also played in the third tier for Gillingham.

"I have enjoyed every minute since I've come here and we've obviously had a lot of success.

"I am delighted to extend my stay and hopefully we can keep building on the success we've had and more comes our way.

"The gaffer giving me three years shows they see me in their plans which is always a nice thing.

"Who knows where we will be in three years but hopefully we will be up again."

Utility player O'Connor has played in midfield but he spent most of last season playing as the left-sided centre-back.

"I had a few niggles here and there when I first came in," he added.

"I feel the move to left centre-back last year probably helped me to solidify my spot in the team."