Sounders lose to Chelsea 2-0

From the Sounders Press Release…

SEATTLE- Daniel Sturridge and Frank Lampard scored first-half goals as Chelsea FC of the English Premier League (EPL) earned a 2-0 win over the Seattle Sounders FC in a friendly match played before 65,289 on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field Saturday afternoon.

The crowd established a new Sounders FC record for attendance and it was the third-largest figure for a professional soccer match played in Seattle.

Chelsea, under new manager Carlo Ancelotti, will continue their U.S. pre-season tour and face international opposition against Italy’s Inter Milan in Pasadena, Calif. and AC Milan in Baltimore.  They will conclude their tour at Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas against Mexico’s Club America.

Sturridge opened the scoring in the 12^th minute of the match when he received a pass from midfielder Florent Malouda and curled his 16-yard shot inside far post, past goalkeeper Kasey Keller.

Sturridge also assisted on Lampard’s goal. His pass put Nicolas Anelka deep into the right side of the box, and Anelka’s ball back into the crease was finished by Lampard in the 35^thminute.

Seattle finished with an 11-3 advantage in corner kicks but was outshot by Chelsea, 13-10.

Both teams substituted freely. Nine Chelsea starters came out at halftime along with five for Sounders FC.

Two of Seattle’s three closest scoring chances involved Freddie Ljungberg. In the 33^rdminute, his 25-yard free kick was tipped over the bar by Chelsea keeper Petr Cech. Just before halftime, Ljungberg’s long drive toward goal was blocked by defender Alex.

In the 73^rd minute, Sounders FC winger Sanna Nyassi broke through against Chelsea reserve keeper Henrique Hilario, only to have his chip sail just over the right post.

In 2008 the Blues finished third in the EPL and won the 2009 FA Cup Final before reaching the semifinal match of the UEFA Champions League.  Premiership play begins for Chelsea FC on August 15 at Stamford Bridge against Hull City.

Competitive play resumes for the Sounders FC (11-3-7) on Tuesday when Seattle hosts the Houston Dynamo in the semi-final round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.  Kickoff is 7pm PT at Starfire Sports Stadium. The game is sold out.

The next MLS match is at home Saturday against the Chicago Fire.

All Statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial

Seattle Postgame Quotes

Chelsea FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC – July 18, 2009

Postgame Quotes

Chelsea FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC – July 18, 2009

SEATTLE Postgame Quotes

Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid

General Comments: “I think it was just tremendous from the stand point of our fan support the day of the game. It definitely was a Seattle Sounders home game. Fans were there to see Chelsea as well, but people were there to support our team and that’s tremendous because you don’t get that all the time here in the States when a team comes to visit. The hoopla, the atmosphere, the crowd support, that was brilliant. Obviously the result is something that we would have liked to turned out a little better, but I was proud of the way we played and proud of the support we got.”

(On giving everyone a chance to play) “I wanted to get guys in to play in this game for sure because it’s a unique opportunity for a lot of our players. Also we have a very important match on Tuesday because we play in Open Cup semifinal, so it was good to get some guys out to rest.”

On rhythm of game: “I was proud of what our guys did. I was proud that we played soccer and we came to play. We didn’t sit back. The big difference is the change of rhythm and pace in the European game because it slows down, it speeds up, all of a sudden there’s explosion and things happen. The pace and rhythm of MLS is sometimes higher, but the pace doesn’t change much. That’s something that our players still need to learn. I think some guys today getting exposed to that, it’s a lot easier than me telling them about it, going through the exercise makes it easier to learn.”

(On defensive breakdown) “It happened a bit more in the first half than the second and it’s something we addressed at halftime. I felt our center backs got split a bit and it opened up a lane down the middle of the field. We needed to play in closer connection to each other and our outside backs needed to come in a little bit as well. What happened is one center back would step up, the other would stay and they would make runs from a little deeper. That was something that they exposed us on in the first half, but I thought we did better in the second half after we talked about it.”

(On reserves taking advantage of playing opportunity) “Every time you get a guy on the field it’s an opportunity to show what he can do and it’s an opportunity he can take advantage of. Lamar Neagle as an example. It was his first time ever out there on the field and he’s coming out with 65,000 fans where the most he played in front of at UNLV was 65. It’s a big difference. It’s a good experience for them.”

(On Fredy Montero rumors) “You read things in the paper and you’re not quite sure how they get there. Fredy Montero is with us right now. There have been no official inquiries that we are aware at this stage. He’s a very important player to our team. He’s the second leading scorer in our league and he has a bright future. I’m sure one day that opportunity, whether it’s a day soon or later, will present itself, but right now he has a very important game to prepare for.”

(On players moving up) “From my perspective as a coach, you don’t want to lose players for sure, but the way I was taught early on was the measure of a coach was how many players can you produce for the next level, not how many titles can you win. Any time a player gets an opportunity to play at a higher level, myself and this club is never going to stand in the way. We’re going to help advise and make sure it’s the right opportunity. It also says worlds about what we’re doing if guys are getting the chance to move to the next level. Then we have to find the next guy and help him get to that level. Right now we’re focused on our team and we want to be successful.”

(On fans) “I got up this morning at eight-o-clock in the morning and as I went to get my dry cleaning. As I was walking from my apartment to pick it up around the corner comes a guy in full Sounders regalia with his Emerald City scarf around his neck and he was already ready for the game. I don’t think you’re going to find that in any other city in America that is something unique to Seattle.”

Goalkeeper Kasey Keller

General Comments:  “I was really impressed with the way the guys played. They had a world all-star team out there, and I think until they scored the goal, I kind of felt that we were probably the more dangerous team. Obviously we didn’t sit back and try to defend. We wanted to attack and make it entertaining for everybody here. And I thought we did a very, very good job and we were unlucky not to get a goal or two in the game.  Guys came on as we started making changes, and I thought they stepped up to the occasion extremely well, as well. I think that’s showing that we have a good, solid team. That’s a lot of credit to everybody at the club.”

(On what Sounders FC are doing in MLS) “I personally am more excited about what we are doing in the league, and the way that we are being supported for every game. Let’s be honest, America loves an occasion. And there’s no problem to come and support that. And the fans came out and had a great time in today’s game. But what’s so important that I’m so proud of is that it’s every day. It’s everyday in the press. It’s everyday for training. It’s everyday when we come to a home game there’s 30-35 thousand, and the support is tremendous. For me that’s the biggest message that’s sent out from this club. The occasion; great, fantastic. Everyone had a great time. The players responded well and we saw some world all stars in Chelsea, and they played well. But I’m just so proud of everything that the fans have done from every time we step on the field.”

Midfielder Freddie Ljungberg

General Comments: “I think there is a lesson to be learned. There’s a lot of players that have never played a team like Chelsea before. They did very well. They can take that with them. There’s still some things that we can do better, and I think they’ll learn from that… Chelsea finishes their goals. They go 110% and they really concentrate in finishing…Apart from that, I think we showed we play well. Even some of the Chelsea boys told us after the game that we played good football, and they were impressed how we played.”

(On what playing well against Chelsea from a European point of view) “From a European point of view, I think it definitely sends a message out that we can play good against Chelsea. When I speak to my friends back home it’s a lot of questions of ‘what is the level? And how would you play against great teams?’ And I think that message was sent today. And I think it was very important for a European club to see that.”

Midfielder Steve Zakuani

(On what game vs. Chelsea meant to him) “I think it was great.  We had 65,000 people there today – made themselves heard – so it was real special.  And then, playing some of the best players in the world I think we did pretty well.  I don’t think it was a thing where they overran us, we had some good chances and opportunity to put in a score so overall as an event it was great.  I think our fans were superb and everything went well.”

(On if he was expecting the Seattle soccer experience when he was drafted) “No, no.  I’ve watched the MLS in the past and it’s nothing like what this has been, this has been special.  I think on a day like today, open up the stadium and we still fill it up – I don’t think another team could do that.  So it speaks volumes for the Seattle fans.  They were great again today like I said.”

(On how the Sounders did against Chelsea) “I think we should’ve scored.  We had some chances (in the) first half, second half.  But at the same time I don’t think that was the best Chelsea (team) out there.  They’re still starting preseason so I think that shows how good they are, that they still managed to score two goals.  We’re happy with that we competed well and we’ll take that.”

Forward Roger Levesque

(On game vs. Chelsea) “I wish we could’ve gotten a goal – a little better result.  But at the same time playing in front of that atmosphere against a team of that quality is a great experience, great experience for us going forward in the rest of the season.”

(On if today could still be a confidence booster) “Absolutely, I think so.  You can’t read too much into it.  They’re still at the start of their preseason, looking to get fit.  At the same time, to go out there and compete… I thought we did alright.”

(On how the team will get motivated after a crowd of at Qwest, for a crowd of 4,000 at Starfire on Tuesday vs. Houston in Open Cup semifinal) “Starfire – that’s motivation enough right there.  Completely different feel to it, fans right on top of the field.  It’ll probably be just as loud on Tuesday.”

Defender Tyrone Marshall

(On chance to play Chelsea FC) “…This type of opportunity is one that you cherish for a long time.  Keep a record of this to show your kids or your grandkids when you get old.  Tell them, ‘Listen I played in a big game in front of 65,000 fans’, a great experience.  So it’s something the younger boys take away from this learning experience.  Know that we played with those boys as well and we gave a good account of ourselves.  It’s something we can take as a confidence builder for young players going into our MLS games and our Open Cup game on Tuesday.”

(On if he thought it would be long afternoon after Chelsea’s two goals) “No I never thought it was going to be a long afternoon.  The thing with them is they got two chances and they finished them, or three chances and they finished two of the three.  They get paid the big bucks and that’s why.  We had opportunities to at least get one on the board, I thought.  We got a couple clear chances and that’s the difference – they finished their chances and that’s why they’re in the big leagues and we just need to get better.  And there you see the difference between the Premier League and where we need to be.  We keep working and eventually we get there.  If we can put our chances away like they did today and go about our business we should be fine because I thought we played well. We held our own and we got up and down (the pitch) and we put some pressure on them as well.  So we can take some positive out of this game.”