Full Breakdown
Leeds United vs Wrexham – Pre-Season Friendly in Tampa
7/26/2026, 11:42:37 AM
Core Event: 3-2 Victory for Wrexham
Wrexham defeated Leeds United 3–2 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Wales international Kieffer Moore opened the scoring inside the first minute. Leeds equalised when Joel Piroe converted a back-heel after a pass from Sean Longstaff. Wrexham regained the lead through Bailey Cadamarteri before Longstaff levelled for Leeds with a right-footed strike. In the closing stages substitute Sam Smith scored the winner, the same player who had netted against Manchester United in Helsinki earlier in the summer. The match was streamed in the United States and internationally via Premier Sports 2, LUTV, Wrexham AFC Live, BBC iPlayer and S4C Online.
Background & Context
Leeds United concluded the 2025-26 Premier League in 14th place, a finish that secured their first season back in the top flight. The club began its U.S. pre-season tour with a 30-man squad that includes new signings defender Tarik Muharemovic (formerly of Sassuolo and a 2026 World Cup participant for Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Welsh winger Harry Wilson, who joined on a free transfer after his contract with Fulham expired.
Wrexham, owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, finished seventh in the Championship with 71 points, narrowly missing the expanded six-team play-offs. The Red Dragons entered the U.S. tour after a 1-0 friendly win over Manchester United in Helsinki on July 18 and a goalless draw with Wisla Kraków the week before. Their summer schedule includes further matches against Liverpool and Sunderland before opening the competitive season in the Carabao Cup.
Data & Statistics
- Leeds United recent form (last five competitive matches): 2 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw; 6 goals scored, 6 conceded. Notable results include a 3-0 Premier League loss to West Ham United on May 24 and a 1-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion the week prior.
- Wrexham recent form (last five matches): 1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss; 4 goals scored, 6 conceded. The win over Manchester United (1-0) and the draw with Wisla Kraków were the highlights.
- Match goal scorers: Wrexham – Kieffer Moore, Bailey Cadamarteri, Sam Smith; Leeds – Joel Piroe, Sean Longstaff.
Official Statements & Responses
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said the pre-season campaign is focused on consolidating the group built last year and extracting maximum performance from every player. He added that any future signings will be evaluated on their ability to improve the squad.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact kickoff timing. Sports Illustrated lists the match as starting at 12:30 a.m. on Saturday July 25, while WalesOnline reports a 12:30 a.m. BST kickoff on Sunday July 26. Both refer to the same moment in time but present it using different local conventions, creating a minor discrepancy in public listings. Detailed match statistics such as possession percentages, shots on target, and attendance figures were not provided in any source.
What’s Next
Leeds United’s U.S. tour continues with a scheduled friendly against Sunderland in New Jersey on Friday July 31. Wrexham will face Liverpool later in the tour and then play Sunderland before beginning the competitive season with a Carabao Cup first-round tie against Middlesbrough in early August.
