Chelsea, one of the top and most expensive football clubs in the world, has defeated host and reigning U.S. Major League Soccer champion DC United, 2-1. The game was the third in a four-game exhibition series that also includes AC Milan of Italy and the Chicago Fire MLS team. The international friendly was played Thursday in Landover, Maryland, near Washington.
The game was physical and fast between the English Premier champions and the defending MLS champions. DC United defender and co-captain Bobby Boswell put the hosts in front in the 31st minute with a header into the left corner of the net. But Chelsea stormed back just four minutes later, when forward Damien Duff fired a shot across the goal, landing a score inside the right post.
Hernan Crespo fired an easy score into an empty net in the 56th minute, when DC United substitute goalkeeper Troy Perkins was drawn out of position. More than 31,400 fans vocally cheered throughout the game, mostly for United. MLS Commissioner Don Garber was pleased with the game and the overall exhibition series.
"Although it is still their pre-season, it is part of our plan to show that our teams are competitive with other clubs around the world, just as our national team is," he said. "So, it is a strategy that is proving to be a pretty good one for us."
Chelsea will next play AC Milan of Italy to conclude the series Sunday at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
