WREXHAM WOMEN have made history by playing their first ever match on American soil.
It was a tough opener for Steve Dale’s side up against SoCal FC, who ran out comfortable 9-0 winners at the UCLA Drake Stadium, in Los Angeles.
There was a boisterous crowd in attendance as the Reds began their Wrex Coast Tour and the Southern Californian side boasted players with great technical ability.
In humid conditions, Wrexham were playing their first match since a 2-0 defeat to Cardiff City in the final of last season’s Welsh Cup final, while SoCal started on the front foot and they hit the post inside the opening 10 minutes.
A 13th minute goal was quickly followed by two more, but Wrexham did manage to relieve the pressure to halt any further strikes prior to the break.
Dale utilised the squad at his disposal by making a number of half-time changes and a trio of under-19 players were introduced for the second half.
In a positive opening to the second half, striker Rosie Hughes had the Reds’ best chance of the contest.
She managed to turn in the box soon after the restart, but a good defensive tackle stopped her from directing a shot towards goal.
SoCal made it 4-0 from their first opportunity of the half 10 minutes after the restart and, as Wrexham tired, they were able to add to their tally, with four goals coming in the last 20 minutes.
The Reds stuck to their task, though, and keeper Chloe Ankers - a half-time replacement for Delyth Morgan - managed to pull off some big saves.
There was little rest for the Wrexham players, who were back at the UCLA Drake Stadium last night for their meeting against Tigres Femenil U19s.
The Wrex Coast Tour, supported by Ally, will see the team head north to Portland, Oregon later in the week.
There, the Reds will come up against Portland Thorns Academy at Providence Park on July 26.
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