Blues set for July friendly in Seattle

Chelsea are to play a summer friendly in America against Seattle Sounders FC.

The MLS club have announced the match will take place at their Qwest Field ground on July 18.

“This will be unlike any international game ever played in the Pacific Northwest,” said Sounders FC majority owner Joe Roth.

“The atmosphere that afternoon will be incredible.”

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon added: “We are delighted to be opening our pre-season preparations in Seattle.

“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.

“We will be bringing a full-strength squad, so it should be a great game.”