Daniel Farke’s first starting XI of pre-season was a surprising one as Callum Mills, Jayden Lienou and Alfie Cresswell were all named to take on Championship side Wrexham in Florida.
Leeds suffered a 3-2 defeat in the first of three fixtures they will play across the pond. Sean Longstaff got his name on the score sheet, while Joel Piroe atoned for his penalty miss with a neat near-post finish.
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There is no doubt that Longstaff was Leeds’ most impressive player on the night as he laid on a goal and an assist. But Leeds’ lack of sharpness was clear with Wrexham playing their third pre-season fixture.
Leeds were also without many key players. Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jaka Bijol were surprise absentees during the early hours of the morning and now, Beren Cross shares why Leeds were without five players.
Beren Cross explains Leeds’ notable absences from Wrexham loss
Piroe did little to prove that he should remain at Leeds despite his goal, while Lucas Perri also got a run-out in the second half amid an imminent move to Torino. Harry Wilson impressed in the second half.
But Leeds were without Calvert-Lewin, Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Ilia Gruev, and Gabriel Gudmundsson. Noah Okafor has not travelled with the Leeds squad to America, after his World Cup exploits this summer.
Beren Cross reported on X that Calvert-Lewin, Bijol and Bornauw have minor injuries, while Gruev is still undergoing rehab on the knee injury he sustained last season. Gudmundsson, like Okafor, is still resting.
“Calvert-Lewin suffered ‘small setback’ and training individually. Bijol has knee knock. Bornauw with minor issue and not risked. Gruev rehabilitating knee injury. Tanaka, Gudmundsson back late from World Cup.”
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Leeds looked good going forward, scoring twice against a side that forced Man United into drawing a blank. Two goals which arguably should have been four with the penalty and Jayden Bogle’s late chance.
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Promising signs in their first game back, with Sunderland next up in the early hours of Friday morning. Leeds face their 2025-26 promoted rivals in New Jersey, travelling north this week before the clash.
Leeds then take on Liverpool in Illinois, before returning to these shores ahead of a clash against Man United in Ireland. RB Leipzig then come to Elland Road, before Leeds kick off their season against Forest.
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