Ryan Reynolds isn’t playing with his Wrexham team in Cary this weekend. But is he coming?
Reality TV stars the Wrexham Red Dragons of Wales are making their U.S. debut this weekend, competing for a $1 million prize in The Soccer Tournament in Cary.
But don’t look for celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney on the field or in the stands, according to a spokesperson for the tournament.
The “Deadpool” star and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” actor, who’ve taken their team’s travails to TV in the FX docuseries “Welcome to Wrexham,” (streaming on Hulu) are sitting this one out.
The Soccer Tournament kicked off Thursday morning at WakeMed Soccer Park after months of anticipation and thousands of tickets sold.
Over five days, 32 teams will play 7-on-7 elimination-style games for a chance to advance to the final rounds and the $1 million. The games are similar to the FIFA World Cup format.
The Wrexham Red Dragons face off against Italian football club Como 1907 at 1:30 p.m. Thursday on Stadium Field 2.
The last game of the day begins at 2:15 p.m. between Duke University’s alumni soccer team Duke Sevens and the Raleigh Rebels.
To close the tournament, the two teams who win Saturday night will play for the grand prize Sunday afternoon.
Wrexham AFC will play again in the Triangle on July 19 at UNC’s Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill. The game, against London’s Chelsea football club, is part of the 2023 FC Series. Perhaps the Hollywood co-owners, whose profiles have brought the team a major international spotlight, will visit North Carolina then.
TODAY’S FULL SCHEDULE AND WHERE TO WATCH️
Our first game is @BlackYellow vs Hoosier Army (@IndianaMSOC) on @peacock at 9:00AM EDT
Let the games begin… pic.twitter.com/5ottjVN9HI— TST (@TST7v7) June 1, 2023
Plan for delays around soccer park
Thousands are expected in the Cary area for the tournament, which is just one of six major professional, college and high school sports competitions in the Triangle this weekend.
According to the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance, the events will draw over 39,200 people to the Triangle, bringing an estimated $6.4 million in direct economic impact to the area.
Drivers should expect some traffic delays around the WakeMed Soccer Park, according to Cary police. The field is at 101 Soccer Park Drive, off Walnut Creek.
Games can be streamed live on Peacock with a subscription and on The Soccer Tournament’s YouTube channel.
Today is Day 1 of The Soccer Tournament and motorists should plan for delays in areas surrounding WakeMed Soccer Park. Cary police officers will be directing traffic in front of the soccer.
For event times and schedules visit: https://t.co/Roj2y8k3JV pic.twitter.com/aSjA6ERKgF— Town of Cary Police Department (@TOC_Safety) June 1, 2023
