Seattle Sounders will host Chelsea FC in a friendly on July 18 at Qwest Field, the MLS team announced. "This will be unlike any international game ever played in the Pacific Northwest," Sounders FC majority owner Joe Roth said. "Chelsea is one of the top clubs in the world, and they are playing the home team, our Sounders FC, backed by our loyal supporters. The atmosphere that afternoon will be incredible."

Chief Executive of Chelsea FC Peter Kenyon is also looking forward to the match.

"We are delighted to be opening our preseason preparations in Seattle," Kenyon said. "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. The Sounders FC will provide us with a real test and we are happy that a sporting city like Seattle now has its own new soccer franchise, as it is important for the development of the game in the United States. We will be bringing a full strength squad, so it should be a great game."

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