Rob McElhenney hails Sunderland before pre-season friendly in Pennsylvania | OneFootball

Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney has paid tribute to Sunderland as the clubs prepare to meet in a pre-season friendly in Pennsylvania this summer.

The club said in a statement that Sunderland will spend one week in Nashville, concluding with a showdown against reigning Premier League champions Liverpool at Geodis Park on Saturday 25 July. Regis Le Bris’ side then travel to Harrison, New Jersey, to face Leeds United on Thursday 30 July at the Sports Illustrated Stadium, home of the New York Red Bulls and Gotham FC, before finishing against Wrexham at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, on Sunday 02 August.

McElhenney, the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia star, appeared on the commentary gantry alongside fellow co-owner Ryan Reynolds during Wrexham’s 2-0 Championship win over Swansea City on Friday. During the broadcast he spoke warmly about the Black Cats and their long-awaited Premier League return last year.

He said: “I watched Sunderland Til’ I Die and thought it was a really beautiful documentary. It will be an honour to play them in Philadelphia. I was rooting for them in the play-offs and so happy when they went up, and thank god they did because they deserve it.”

There remains a possibility that Wrexham could join Sunderland in the Premier League next term. The Championship club, who have enjoyed three successive promotions under former Black Cats boss Phil Parkinson, are sixth and have won four of their last five league outings, keeping them on course for a play-off spot.

Source: Sunderland Echo