I’ve been asked a bunch by my non-soccer fans what to expect from today’s friendly vs Chelsea.  Here are a few thoughts about what “success” looks like, in no particular order.

• A sellout crowd – Weekend afternoons in July are a premium in Seattle, especially sunny 90 degree ones.  So to get 65,000 people to spend one of them watching an exhibition soccer game is a pretty neat feat.
• Big showing from Supporters Group – This is  really their only chance to impress the European Supporter Groups, so expect the Brougham end to be loud, lead the crowd in some good chants, and have some creative signs.
• A Chelsea win – After all, they are one of the top 5 or 6 teams in the world.  You’d expect Drogba, Lampard, Anelka, Terry, Essien, Malouda, etc… to put on a pretty good show, even if it is pre-season, and put in a few goals before half.
• Some good showings from the Sounders – In the 2nd half, it would be great to really see some young Sounders step up agains the young guys from Chelsea.  Look for Montero and Zakuani to really be featured as they try to play themselves into a potential European contract, which would be great fot the MLS.

All told, I think if the Sounders played competitively and went down 2-0 at half, then played a 1-1 or 2-2 tie in the 2nd half vs the Chelsea reserves, everyone would be happy.  The crowd should have a blast, the Sounders will gain some experience, and for one of the first times, a European football team will roll into the U.S. and see this as a potentially fun place to end their careers.  If we see a 38 year old Didier Drogba or Frank Lampard in a Sounders jersey in 5 or 6 years, this may be why.