Former United States international Heather O'Reilly has admitted that she and her US Women's teammates are "super proud" and "don't care" that they lost 12-0 to Wrexham Red Dragons at The Soccer Tournament.
The seven-a-side tournament that is taking place in North Carolina pitted the squad featuring several former USWNT internationals against a team boasting current, former, and guest players from Wrexham. American legend Mia Hamm coached the US side featuring former World Cup and Olympic champions in Cat Whitehill and O’Reilly.
Their Welsh opponents featured former Swansea City fans' favourite Lee Trundle, who scored four goals in the game. Wrexham, managed by men's first team coach David Jones, scored seven goals inside the opening 20 minutes of the contest
Despite the heavy defeat, O'Reilly was far from dispirited by the outcome and insisted they are proud to have been "bold" and "brave" by playing in the star-studded tournament.
"We're super proud," she said after the game. "Hopefully we've proved to anybody, just go for it, just live. What's the worst that could happen? We lose 16-0 to Wrexham?
"We don't care because we're living, we're being bold and we're being brave. Here we have two amazing products that American soccer fans are getting behind. It's just a ton of fun and it's brought all of us together."
Trundle shared a similar sentiment about the special occasion. “I think it’s great especially to be involved in a tournament like this and for myself to get back with some old ex-teammates and get out on the pitch."
Current Wrexham backup goalkeeper Mark Howard was also out there for the Red Dragons. He explained why afterwards: “The growth of the club, especially out here, is massive. That’s one of the reasons why as a current player I volunteered myself.
"I wanted to embrace what we’ve got going on now. It’s enjoyable. It’s amazing to come out and see the fans. You expect a little bit, but you don’t know how much you’ll get because you’re not used to that exposure.
“Obviously, we’re lower-level English tiers, so to come out here and we’re treated like the top Premier League teams, it’s an amazing feeling. The American supporters are so positive. The tournament’s amazing. We’re really enjoying our time.”
Following their emphatic win, Wrexham would finish top of Group C after recording another dominant 8-1 win over Say Word FC, having previously edged Como 3-2 in their opening game. The US team's two other matches were closer, losing 5-0 and 7-1, as they finished bottom of the group and exited the competition.
Despite their imperious group stage form, Wrexham have missed out on the $1 million winner-takes-all prize after falling to Conrad & Beasley United, led by former United States men's internationals Jimmy Conrad and DaMarcus Beasley, in the round of 16 after losing 4-3.
The competition is an extension of The Basketball Tournament. Veteran NBA point guard Chris Paul is one of the football version's financial backers.
