WFC No Challenge for Blues

By: Jack | July 27th, 2009

England’s Brave John Terry has finally committed his future to the club. And Chelsea wrapped up the World Football Challenge in style Sunday night, handing Club America a 2-0 defeat at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas.

All is good.

It finally went right for young Franco Di Santo who, as a second-half substitute, scored and set up the Blues’ second goal. Flo-Rida netted the night capper.

With the result, Chelsea wrapped up the World Football Challenge undefeated — three matches, three wins — and it’s first trophy of the season. Perhaps it’s meaningless but, for me, not so much.

It was imperative Ancelotti enjoy a near seamless transition. Our preseason tour of North America has ensured that. Ancelotti’s diamond 4-4-2 has been a success. Our new signings have been a success. Everything has been a success — so far.

Let’s just hope we can keep it up.

What we have learned from Chelsea’s American tale?

Dominic Fifield, of the Guardian, did an interesting piece on our trip to the States and what we can take away from it.

Included is the opinion that North America is warming to Chelsea. From evidence of my trip to Baltimore for the Milan match, I must agree. There was plenty of blue in the area. Still, though, it was a pro-Milan crown — gross.

	EPL Match Schedule			Discount Travel to London & Chelsea
	Chelsea Scores			Stamford Bridge information & hotels

Category: Chelsea Team News, Fixtures, Match Reports

Tags: Carlo Ancelotti, Chelsea Team News, Club America, Fixtures, Franco Di Santo, Match Reports, preseason, United States, World Football Challenge

« RSVP: Chelsea v Milan | Home | Post Match Rant Box: Reading 2, Chelsea 2 »

Subscribe   The Offside RSS Feeds

Print

Share

Comments  

• Martin |  July 27th, 2009 at 3:07 pm

  
  
  

  Jack–

  I was at the game as well, and surprised at the number of Chelsea shirts being worn around by fans. The Chelsea section down at the end of the field was fantastic, too–they actually had cheers and chants going that us po’ folks could hear all the way up in the upper deck.

  Posted from United States

  

• jon |  July 27th, 2009 at 3:53 pm

  
  
  

  Jack,
  I was there too. Row 2. It was unreal, surreal, and every other -real. Best thing ever.

  Posted from United States

  

• Dave |  July 27th, 2009 at 6:35 pm

  
  
  

  I was in the upper deck as well, second to last row, but it was still incredible to see players of that caliber in Baltimore, MD. It also took me nearly three hours to get from DC to Bomo (typically 45 mins-an hour drive). Seeing Drog’s incredible goal though made the hours of road rage all worth it. Also stuck around for close to an hour and a half after the match in the pouring rain so that I could run alongside the team bus and the police escort for thirty seconds, waving my arms wildly. I could just see the players through the tinted glass looking at me…that’s right, the Chelsea boys were aware of my existence for half a minute of bliss.

  Posted from United States

  

• Jack |  July 27th, 2009 at 8:22 pm

  
  
  

  It took us 2:30 from DC, Dave. I was in the middle tier, nearly the 18. I should’ve hung around with you and attempted to get an interview with EBJT.

  Like everyone else, I had a great experience.

  Posted from United States

  

• Barry |  July 27th, 2009 at 10:15 pm

  
  
  

  Lucky Americans. The best we can get is Celtic and bloody Wolves. How exciting…

  Posted from Australia

  

• Chelsea Shirts |  July 28th, 2009 at 2:04 am

  
  
  

  Good preparation for the season so far with good performances, I just hope they continue into the new season

  Posted from United States

  

• Josh |  July 28th, 2009 at 2:39 am

  
  
  

  I was in the supporters section in Dallas. Even being that close to Mexico the crowd was split 50/50 it seemed. I was trying to get some chants/songs going, but all I could get started was blue is the color…still a fun time though I wish Terry and lampard would have played, drogs too

  Posted from United States

  

• Russell Saunders |  July 28th, 2009 at 8:06 am

  
  
  

  Nice post – and you’re so right about the seamless transition point. With no many managers over the past five years, having some consistency and stability is essential, and anything that will help the manager and players get used to each other is a bonus.

  I wrote my own article on what we can learn from Chelsea’s pre-season tour to the States (which seems like it was a massive success) on my blog, if you’re interested:

  http://www.bridgeviews.co.uk/bridge_views/2009/07/what-chelseas-pre-season-tells-us.html

  Posted from United States

  

• Tommy Rayder |  July 28th, 2009 at 8:22 am

  
  
  

  I was at the Baltimore game! Club level on the Chelsea side. A lot of Chelsea supporters! I had a blast.

  Posted from United States

  

• ph0bolus |  July 28th, 2009 at 6:24 pm

  
  
  

  Don’t forget what happened last season under Scolari. We had a few very good games, but then dropped off during the middle of the season. Let’s hope that after this new manager honeymoon phase, Ancelotti will be able to guide Chelsea to the top.

  Posted from United States

  

• Harlan |  July 31st, 2009 at 2:58 pm

  
  
  

  @Josh…I was at the game in Dallas too, on the endline in the Chelsea supporters section. While there were quite a few Chelsea fans there, I have to disagree that it was 50/50. I think it was more like 1/3 Chelsea fans. That stadium got pretty quiet after the Blues went up 2-0. Semantics anyhow. I was like a little kid getting to see my beloved Blues play in my hometown.

  Posted from United States

  

• football |  August 2nd, 2009 at 9:19 am

  
  
  

  Nice post. i really know much more about football.thanks for the posting.

  Posted from Australia

  

Comments are closed