Photo Courtesy of the Premier League

Who: Sunderland AFC vs Wrexham AFC

What: Preseason Friendly

When: Sunday, August 2nd, 12:00 PM EST

Where: Subaru Park, Chester, Pennsylvania

Watch: ESPN / ESPN Unlimited

Two clubs with television histories (“Welcome to Wrexham” and “Sunderland ‘til I Die”) square off in a preseason friendly at Subaru Park on Sunday. Sunderland, who just finished their first season back in the Premier League since 2016-17, are getting ready for another Prem season as well as Europa League soccer. Wrexham, the club famously owned by Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, were on the cusp of the Championship Playoffs last year, missing out on a chance for promotion by 2 points. 

 

Scouting Report: Wrexham AFC

Wrexham have had a very solid preseason to this point, drawing Polish side Wisla Krakow 0-0 before beating Manchester United (1-0) and Leeds United (3-2). Most recently, though, they lost 1-0 to Liverpool. A strong start against Premier League opposition. This match is Wrexham’s last preseason friendly, as they are set to take on Middlesbrough in the EFL Cup 1st Round on August 7th in Middlesbrough. 

Since the two actors took over, Wrexham have had a lot of success, winning three promotions in the last four years. This squad is similar to last year’s, which is dominated by names like goalkeepers Arthur Okonkwo and Danny Ward, and strikers Kieffer Moore and Sam Smith.  Manager Phil Parkinson, who’s been with the side since the summer of 2021, likes to manage a very solid defensive team, but it would not be surprising to see Wrexham play with fluidity and creativity as they look to prepare for a Championship season where they intend to dominate teams. 

Growing pains of gelling together meant that Wrexham struggled a bit out of the gate last season, but with a squad of almost entirely returners, Parkinson’s team should have success early on with a legit ability to sustain it. 

 

Scouting Report: Sunderland AFC

This friendly is Sunderland’s fourth of the summer; The club’s only win came in a 5-1 win over York City last month. Otherwise, the Black Cats lost 4-2 to Liverpool (Wrexham lost 1-0 to Liverpool) and 1-0 to Leeds (Wrexham beat Leeds 3-2). Sunderland completely outdid expectations last season, finishing 7th in the Premier League in their first season after being promoted, which was enough to earn them a Europa League spot.

Sunderland did not lose a ton of talent in the offseason, and still has money to spend. Enzo Le Fee, Granit Xhaka, Robin Roefs, Luke O’Nien, Dan Ballard, and Nordi Mukiele still make up the spine of the team, and there’s a significant core of young talent that’s only getting better. After defying the pundits last year and winning all 6 points in the Tyne-Wear Derby against Newcastle, their bitter, bitter rivals, Sunderland are ready to keep the good times rolling and get hot again to start the year. 

Manager Regis Le Bris, who oversaw the club’s promotion back to the Premier League and a good season last year, is a very strong leader who can absolutely guide this club even further. He usually goes with a 4-2-3-1, where his fullbacks can join the attack and help his side maintain the ball. 

 

Matchup to Watch: Wilson Isidor vs Wrexham’s Backline

Wilson Isidor, Sunderland’s striker, is coming off a goal for Haiti in the World Cup and a full season in the Premier League. He’s got 19 goals in the last 2 seasons for Sunderland, including 6 last season, and has stepped up his game over the summer. Isidor played 45 mediocre minutes against Liverpool recently, but that was his first action since Haiti’s loss to Morocco, in which he scored. Wrexham has a very strong defensive record, which they intend to keep. Isidor is the spearhead of the opposition’s attack, which means they’ll be committing a lot of energy to keep him at bay. 

 

Player to Watch: Enzo Le Fee

One of the more creative attacking mids in the Premier League, Enzo Le Fee took a strong step up last year for Sunderland. After a shortened Championship season in 2024-25, Le Fee put up 5 goals and 6 assists in 36 Prem games last season. He scored in Sunderland’s 4-2 loss to Liverpool, but put 2 past York City in a 5-1 win earlier this summer. Le Fee is continuing his good form and can certainly take advantage of a weaker Wrexham team. 

 

Score Prediction: 2-1 Sunderland

Sunderland has the stronger side in this match and should be able to get the win. The two teams have both played Liverpool and Leeds, with similar-ish results. Wrexham are a good team, with a lot of potential, but they just aren’t at the level of a top-half Prem team yet. It’ll be close, but I do give the Black Cats the advantage heading into Sunday’s match at the Soob.