Sounders FC v Chelsea

Your Homepage for All Things July 18th

Welcome to Prost Amerika’s unique page dedicated to the big game, Sounders FC v Chelsea on July 18th in Seattle. Kickoff is set for 12 noon pacific time and the match will be televised live on ESPN2.

LATEST: There are about 700 seats remaining for Saturday’s exhibition against EPL Chelsea. The are all located in various sections of the upper level for $40 per ticket.

Ticket Information

Sounders FC season tickets WILL be valid for this game so it is almost certain that any single game tickets will be for the Upper Bowl. Qwest Field has a lower bowl with a 32,000 capacity, and that will be the capacity for all MLS games. But for the visit of Chelsea and the other international guests, the Upper Bowl will be open for ticket sales.

Blue is the Colour

This marks Chelsea’s fourth visit to Seattle and second to Qwest Field. In 2004 the Blues defeated Glasgow Celtic, 4-2. The original North American Soccer League Sounders won a friendly, 2-0, at the Kingdome in 1977. Chelsea first toured in 1967, defeating a local amateur side, 5-0, at Memorial Stadium.

Listen to Chelsea Anthem “Blue is the Colour”

Chelsea’s line-up boasts a star-studded roster led by captain and defender John Terry and midfielder Frank Lampard, both full England internationals, and other accomplished internationals such as Didier Drogba of the Ivory Coast, Germany’s Michael Ballack, goalkeeper Peter Cech and Portugal’s Deco. Other names readers might recognise are Nicholas Anelka, Michael Essien and Bosingwa. Dutchman Guus Hiddink is in charge of the club temporarily until the end of the season but it is unclear who will be the head coach by the time Chelsea arrive here.

Sounders Reaction

“Unlike Any Other Game” – Joe Roth
Sounders majority owner Joe Roth is clearly enthusiastic about what the draw is to Sounders international reputation.

“This will be unlike any international game ever played in the Pacific Northwest,” said Sounders FC majority owner Joe Roth. “Chelsea is one of the top clubs in the world, and they are playing the home team, our Sounders FC, backed by our loyal supporters. The atmosphere that afternoon will be incredible.”

Game day info

The match is part of the Sounders FC full 18-game season ticket package. To date, the club has sold over 20,000 season tickets. Seattle opens its first Major League Soccer season at home on March 19 against the New York Red Bulls.

“We are delighted to be opening our preseason preparations in Seattle,” said Peter Kenyon, the Chief Executive of Chelsea FC. “It is a fantastic city and we have great memories of our time there in the summer of 2004 which went on to be a great season for us. The Sounders FC will provide us with a real test and we are happy that a sporting city like Seattle now has its own new soccer franchise as it is important for the development of the game in the United States. We will be bringing a full strength squad so it should be a great game.”

Details of Chelsea Summer Tour

In addition to the Sounders match, Chelsea will play three more games in the USA, as part of the World Challenge Tournament. Milan, Inter and Club America will make up the other sides.

Chelsea’s Tournament fixtures are:
Inter Milan vs. Chelsea
Tuesday 21st July
The Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA

AC Milan vs. Chelsea
Friday 24th July
Baltimore, MD

Club America vs. Chelsea
Sunday 26th July
Arlington, TX

For details of the tournament and ESPN broadcast times click here.