Wrexham showcased their strong preseason form by defeating another Premier League team, narrowly beating Leeds United 3-2 in Tampa, Florida, on Saturday, thanks to a late goal from Sam Smith.
Under the guidance of Phil Parkinson, who led the team to victory against Manchester United in Helsinki last week, Wrexham took the lead just 32 seconds into the match with new recruit Kieffer Moore curling a shot into the net before Leeds had a chance to gain possession.
Joël Piroe equalized for Leeds midway through the first half with an inventive backheel goal, but Wrexham quickly regained the lead with Bailey Cadamarteri racing free from midway and calmly finishing for his first goal for the club.
Leeds responded again just before halftime, as Sean Longstaff struck a powerful shot into the top corner, leveling the score at 2-2 as the teams headed into the break.
The second half saw fewer goal-scoring opportunities, with Leeds dominating possession, but Wrexham remained a threat on the counterattack and defended stoutly in the hot and humid conditions at Raymond James Stadium.
The game’s decisive moment came late when Davis Keillor-Dunn set up Smith, who broke free and finished coolly to secure Wrexham’s second consecutive victory over Premier League teams in preseason.
Leeds pushed for a late equalizer, with debutant Harry Wilson coming closest with a shot that curled just over the crossbar from inside the box, but Daniel Farke’s team couldn’t find a third goal.
“It’s just preseason, but beating a Premier League team is a great achievement and we’ll embrace it,” remarked Wrexham manager Parkinson after the match.
“It was a solid test in very humid conditions. You have to be here to appreciate how challenging it was, but I thought the players did exceptionally well.”
Wrexham will continue their U.S. tour against Liverpool at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, while Leeds will remain in the U.S. to face Sunderland in New Jersey on Friday.