Chelsea today officially announced the first two dates of their 2012 US summer tour, more than 3 weeks after we leaked the news courtesy of the Chelsea In America supporters group.
The 2012 US summer tour kicks off with Chelsea playing Seattle Sounders on Wednesday, July 18 at CenturyLink Field. This will be Chelsea’s third visit to Seattle in seven years.
“We’re delighted to be returning to Seattle to kick off our summer in the US,” said Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay. “The right pre-season preparation is vital to us and there’s no better place to start. Seattle’s facilities are second to none and the Sounders are quality opponents who enjoy great support. We were here in 2004 and 2009 and both turned out to be winning seasons for us, so we’re really looking forward to bringing the team back.”
The second match of Chelsea’s tour was also announced today. On Saturday, July 28, Chelsea will play AC Milan at Fedex Field in Landover, Maryland, near Washington DC. The Blues will be returning to the DC area for the first time in six years, where they’ll play at the 82,000 capacity stadium.
“It was the summer of 2005 when the then newly crowned English champions were last in the US capital, winning 2-1 against the local American champions DC United,” said a statement on the Chelsea club website. “Goals that day came from Damien Duff and Hernan Crespo, members of a side that also included Geremi, Jiri Jarosik and Carlton Cole.”
In addition to the above two officially announced friendly matches, the club is expected to announce this week that Chelsea will play Celtic at Yankee Stadium in New York. Plus, there are strong rumors that Chelsea may play in the 2012 MLS All-Star Game in Philadelphia this July.
With Chelsea confirmed to play AC Milan and Seattle Sounders on their US summer tour, as well as expected games against Celtic and the MLS All-Star team, which matches are you excited about, and which ones are you planning on going to? Share your opinions in the comments section below.
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