As the long build-up to Chelsea Women's first game of the season continues, the squad have flown back from the west coast of the States... but without a trophy.
In the Women's International Champions Cup in Portland, Oregon, the Blues lost to arch-rivals Lyon, with new Chelsea defender Kadeisha Buchanan facing her old team.
Showing their class, Lyon clawed back a two-goal deficit to send the game to penalties… and beat the Blues 4-3.
In the third-place play-off match against the host side, Portland Thorns, a Guro Reiten strike settled the game. That result was impressive. Portland are not only reigning champions of America's National Women's Challenge Cup, but are also in mid-season, so had a real match-fitness advantage.
Newbie defender Eve Perisset was impressive for the Blues, making a vital clearance off the line when Ann-Katrin Berger was beaten. Also featuring, new winger Johanna Rytting Kaneryd.
"I'm encouraged by what I saw," said manager Emma Hayes, who played Erin Cuthbert in a deeper role than she had last season.
After a friendly against Spurs at Kingsmeadow this Sunday, Chelsea Women continue steady preparations for the proper launch of their new season on Sunday, 11 September, not at Kingsmeadow, but at the 42,000-seat Stamford Bridge. The match v West Ham (kick-off 12.30pm) is live on BBC Two.
It is being used as a public opportunity to congratulate Emma Hayes on notching up a decade as Chelsea manager – no mean achievement in an era when gaffers sometimes seem as disposable as used tissues. A pitch presentation is planned, but it's a measure of Hayes' own attitude that all she's asked for on the opening day is three points.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
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