Sturridge leads Chelsea past Seattle 2-0

Seattle:

Teenager Daniel Sturridge scored and helped to set up Frank Lampard's goal as Chelsea opened its preseason tour of America with a 2-0 win over the Seattle Sounders on Saturday.

The 19-year-old Sturridge was making his debut following an offseason move from Manchester City to Stamford Bridge, and he helped make a winner out of new manager Carlo Ancelotti following his offseason move from AC Milan.

Sturridge's 12th-minute goal quieted the 65,289 fans - most in Seattle green - in Chelsea's first match since winning the FA Cup final on May 30. They are using the tour of the United States - which includes matches against Inter Milan, AC Milan and Club America - as their training leading up to the August 15 English Premier League opener against Hull.

To that end, a number of stars either sat or played only one half. Didier Drogba and Michael Essien never took off their warmups, while Ashley Cole, John Terry and Petr Cech were among the Chelsea starters to only a half.

The only Chelsea regular to play the full 90 minutes was Lampard.

Seattle goalkeeper Kasey Keller and forward Nate Jaqua played a half, while Swedish star and former Chelsea nemesis Freddie Ljungberg played into the second half before departing.

The Blues continually found gaps in Seattle's shaky defense. Sturridge took full advantage in the 12th minute, and just over 20 minutes later, his pass from near midfield found Nicolas Anelka running free in the box. Anelka chipped to Lampard, who easily deposited past the helpless Keller.