Sturridge leads Chelsea past Seattle

By TIM BOOTH
AP Sports Writer

Daniel Sturridge jumped at the chance to join Chelsea as
soon as he heard the club was interested in him.

His debut on Saturday made Blues’ management look very
smart for acquiring the talented 19-year-old player.

Making his debut following an offseason move from
Manchester City to Stamford Bridge, Sturridge scored in
the 12th minute and assisted on Frank Lampard’s goal later
in the first half as the Blues opened their preseason tour
of America with a 2-0 win over the Seattle Sounders FC on
Saturday.

“Nobody ever thinks twice about going to such a big club
when it comes calling,” Sturridge said. “You have to take
the opportunity and I’m very happy to be here.”

Sturridge’s goal early in the match quieted some of the
65,289 fans – most in Seattle green – who turned out to
see the first of two international exhibitions the
Sounders will host this season. It also made a winner of
new manager Carlo Ancelotti in his first match leading the
Blues after his move from AC Milan.

It was Chelesa’s second appearance in Seattle in recent
years. They faced Celtic in 2004 in an exhibition match
that drew 30,504 and was part of an increased run of
international exhibitions in the Pacific Northwest.

But Saturday was the first time those Northwest fans were
cheering for their own team. Seattle coach Sigi Schmid
said he went to pick up his dry cleaning at 8 a.m.
Saturday and was met by a Sounders fan already in full
regalia.

The hometown team responded with a spirited effort despite
getting shut out.

“From a European point of view I think it definitely sends
a message that we can play so well against Chelsea,”
Seattle midfielder Freddie Ljungberg said, a former
Chelsea nemesis during his time at Arsenal. “When I speak
to my friends back home there are a lot of questions about
what is the level and how would you play against a great
team. I think that message was sent today.”

The match was Chelsea’s first on-field test since beating
Everton 2-1 in the FA Cup final on May 30. They are using
the tour of the United States – which includes matches
against Inter Milan, AC Milan and Club America – as their
training leading up to the English Premier League opener
against Hull on Aug. 15.

To that end, a number of stars either sat or played only
one half. Didier Drogba and Michael Essien never took off
their warmups, while Ashley Cole, John Terry and Petr Cech
were among the Chelsea starters to only play a half. Terry
did not speak to reporters afterward regarding the ongoing
pursuit of his services by Manchester City.

The only Chelsea regular to play the full 90 minutes was
Lampard.

“Today was the best atmosphere I’ve played in out here for
sure,” Lampard said. “I think the game was pretty even
really except for the two goals that we scored which is
maybe a slight difference in quality from the Premier
League to here, but the Seattle team played good
football.”

Seattle is in the middle of its MLS season and had to
balance upcoming matches with trying to make a good
showing against the Blues. Goalkeeper Kasey Keller and
forward Nate Jaqua only played a half, while Ljungberg
played into the second half before leaving.

The Sounders host Houston in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals
on Tuesday. They will play Chicago next Saturday.

With the blazing rave green of the Sounders easily
dwarfing the royal blue of Chelsea’s in the stands, the
Sounders were clearly the more fit side. But some sloppy
passing and poor first-touches kept the numerous runs by
Ljungberg and striker Fredy Montero from becoming great
scoring opportunities. Seattle also missed on a pair of
open second-half headers, and Sanna Nyassi missed an open
net when his chipped attempt went over the crossbar.

While Seattle failed to convert, the Blues made the most
of their runs through Seattle’s shaky defense. Sturridge
took advantage in the 12th minute, accepting a pass from
Florent Malouda near the top of the box, stopping while
Seattle defender Tyrone Marshall slid past and beating
Keller with a right-footed strike.

Just over 20 minutes later, Sturridge got Chelsea’s next
goal started. His pass from near midfield found the foot
of Nicolas Anelka running free in the box. Anelka chipped
a centering pass that Lampard easily deposited past the
helpless Keller.

The second half featured reserves for both sides. Seattle
defender Zach Scott twice saved goals by clearing balls
off the line after keeper Terry Boss was beaten.

“Their speed, their movement, their touch, there’s no
mistakes in the back,” Seattle’s Steve Zakuani said.
“They’re all very, very good at what they do. That’s the
next level, that’s why they are where they are. It was
good to measure ourselves today.”

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