Skip to content

Exploratory drilling: Chelsea 4, at Seattle 2

Jul 18, 2012, 11:44 PM EDT

Chelsea Sounders Soccer AP

SEATTLE, Wash. – European champions Chelsea returned to the United States on Wednesday, getting goals from Eden Hazard, Marko Marin, and Romelu Lukaku to down the Seattle Sounders, 4-2.

Players of Note:

  • Eden Hazard – Made his Chelsea debut and scored the match’s second goal, taking advantage of Zach Scott in the process. He provided a focal point for the Blues, but although he was able to periodically flash his skill, it was a relatively muted night.
  • Marko Marin – Energetic on the left while doing good work in defense, Marin’s first half goal and assist were a strong start to his CFC career.
  • Romelu Lukaku – Looked out of shape, but that’s understandable. Training just started. The Belgian still scored twice in the first half, including the opener in the third minute.
  • Mauro Rosales – As is typically the case, Rosales rarely put a ball in the wrong place. His crossing was superb.
  • Fredy MonteroThe criticized, the defended - scored twice in the first half: one assisted by Rosales; one assisted by McEachran. Even if it’s only a friendly, two goals against Chelsea are something he’ll always remember.

Packaged for takeaway:

  • Roberto Di Matteo’s 4-4-2 may have been a symptom of a team still at the onset of its preseason. It’s hard to imagine a fully stocked CFC playing that formation. Tonight, it was Hazard in support of Lukaku up top.
  • Seattle played their now customary 4-4-2, but of note: Álvaro Fernández got the start. He’s still a Sounder.
  • While Seattle started their first team, Chelsea’s was mixed, with Ramires and Frank Lampard on the bench. None of their Euro 2012 participants were with the team.
  • The grass field brought in for the game seemed to give the Sounders trouble. Jeff Parke slipped on the first goal. Zach Scott had trouble on the second. Leo Gonzalez lost his footing once.
  • Josh McEachran against flashed his unique vision from midfield, providing a nice ball on the opening goal and earning an assist on Marin’s score. Unfortunately, he also had a horrible giveaway on Seattle’s first goal, playing the ball across goal to Montero, standing just inside the top of the area.
  • It was part of a six-goal first half that saw Chelsea threaten a blowout (two goals in 11 minutes), Montero pull Seattle back even, and the Blues score the last match’s last two goals by the 40th minute.
  • There was a sense of relief, after Montero’s goals. The memories of last year’s 7-0 loss to Manchester United were on everybody’s minds in the days leading up to the match. After a scoreless second half, the Sounders could hold their heads high. It may only be their preseason, but a 4-2 result against the European champions is acceptable, for a friendly.
  • The match ended on a high note because of Roger Levesque, who was playing his last match as a Sounder. The veteran attacker is going back to school, leaving a team he’d played with his its USL days. On the occasion, King County declared it Roger Levesque day, with 31-year-old set to pursue a masters in business at the University of Washington.
Latest Posts
  1. Arsenal grabs Champions League spot with victory over Newcastle

    May 19, 2013, 2:42 PM EDT

    FBL-ENG-PR-NEWCASTLE-ARSENAL

    Arsenal secured its 16th consecutive spot on the Champions League with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Newcastle at St. James’ Park on Sunday.

  2. Danny Koevermans gets into Toronto reserve match

    May 19, 2013, 1:43 PM EDT

    Toronto FC's Danny Koevermans reacts after missing an open net in the first half of their MLS soccer game against the New York Red Bulls in Toronto

    Sensational news for fans around BMO Field:

  3. Story-lines: What to watch for on the final day of the Premier League

    May 19, 2013, 11:30 AM EDT

    Stoke City v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League Getty Images

    With David Beckham-esque tears streaming down my cheeks, we’re finally here: The final day of the 2012-13 Barclay’s Premier League.

  4. All eyes on Newcastle v. Arsenal for final Champions League spot

    May 19, 2013, 10:19 AM EDT

    Arsenal v Wigan Athletic - Premier League Getty Images

    Newcastle have nothing to play for and have been a disaster at home of late, losing their last two matches at St. James’ Park by a combined 9-0.

  5. Seattle awaiting word on Osvaldo Alonso’s injury

    May 19, 2013, 10:13 AM EDT

    alonso head shot

    The timing on this thing in two words: pretty bad:

  6. Philadelphia’s Jack McInerney would be league’s youngest Golden Boot winner

    May 19, 2013, 9:32 AM EDT

    Jack McInerney head shot

    Not to get too far ahead of ourselves on the 20-year-old goal-scoring sensation … :

  7. Seattle overtakes Dallas in a starburst of offensive soccer

    May 19, 2013, 12:48 AM EDT

    Eddie Johnson 2

    The Sounders exploit Dallas’ young back line in a meeting of two Western Conference teams in top form. Final score: 4-2 for the Sounders:

  8. Holy turnabout! Now Houston cannot seem to win at home

    May 18, 2013, 11:41 PM EDT

    New England Revolution v Sporting Kansas City Getty Images

    Juan Agudelo makes his New England debut as Jay Heaps posts one of the best wins of his young coaching career:

  9. Jack McInerney nails yet another game-winner for Philly

    May 18, 2013, 10:33 PM EDT

    mcinerney head shot

    Highlights and context as “Jack Mac” scores his league-leading 8th goal:

  10. Talking points on Portland’s 2-2 draw with Vancouver

    May 18, 2013, 9:50 PM EDT

    Will Johnson-Timbers 2

    Cascadia Cup matches are always interesting, and Saturday’s 2-2 draw at BC Place was full of talking points:

  11. VIDEO: Camilo’s wonderful free kick goal for Vancouver

    May 18, 2013, 8:24 PM EDT

    Camilo

    it was a big crowd pleaser on two fronts when the Whitecaps’ forward stroked an unstoppable free kick against Portland:

  12. A real injury concern for Portland as Darlington Nagbe falls

    May 18, 2013, 8:05 PM EDT

    Nagbe

    The young Timbers’ attacker is having an outstanding season for the Jeld-Wen Field bunch:

  13. Federico Higuain steals the show for Columbus in a road win over Toronto

    May 18, 2013, 7:38 PM EDT

    higuain-4

    Higuain created the game’s only goal and was masterful in possession at BMO Field:

  14. PSG president confirms Saturday was likely David Beckham’s farewell match

    May 18, 2013, 6:44 PM EDT

    REUTERS PICTURE HIGHLIGHT Reuters

    An appearance next week in Paris Saint-Germain’s final match 2012-13 season doesn’t seem to be in the plans for the retiring superstar:

  15. Did David Beckham just play his farewell match?

    May 18, 2013, 5:32 PM EDT

    FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-PSG-BREST

    Video: Reports out of England say today was the former England captain’s final match, rather than next week as expected:

  16. As Alex Ferguson says goodbye, Manchester United’s cupboard remains stocked

    May 18, 2013, 3:15 PM EDT

    Manchester United's Kagawa celebrates his goal against Fulham during their English Premier League soccer match in Manchester Reuters

    Depth at United will allow David Moyes to hut big game this offseason.

  17. Wherein MLS expansion becomes the new David Beckham transfer rumor

    May 18, 2013, 2:40 PM EDT

    David Beckham, Don Garber

    David Beckham’s not dropping off your radar anytime soon.

  18. French soccer trying to deal with the coming AS Monaco problem

    May 18, 2013, 2:01 PM EDT

    1198px-Monaco_in_Europe_(-rivers_-mini_map)

    Before Monaco takes on Europe, they have to convince French soccer.

  19. Roberto Mancini takes out full page thank you ad in Manchester Evening News

    May 18, 2013, 1:17 PM EDT

    mancini-ad-3870078

    Manchester City’s former boss reaches out to his supportive fan base – his first public comments since his Monday dismissal.

  20. Bayern Munich finish German season 25 points ahead of Borussia Dortmund

    May 18, 2013, 12:28 PM EDT

    FBL-GER-BUNDESLIGA-MOENCHENGLADBACH-BAYERN-MUNICH Getty Images

    Mercifully, the season’s come to an end for the 17 clubs who tried to keep pace with Bayern Munich.

Top 10 Player Searches
  1. B. Harper (MLB)
  2. C. Woodson (NFL)
  3. T. Young (NFL)
  4. D. Rose (NBA)
  5. D. Wade (NBA)