A beautiful setting, beautiful weather, a sell-out 69,000 crowd awaiting tomorrow and jaw-dropping training facilities - it's pretty easy to see why Chelsea chose to begin the 2009 tour of the United States in Seattle.

While what remained of Thursday was spent on recovery from a transatlantic and trans-continent crossing by air, Friday's agenda led the team straight into serious preparation for the first match of the Ancelotti era - and when you are used to Cobham, second-rate will not satisfy when it comes to a location to drill and condition the players.

There was no chance of that in this north-west coastal city where, with less than one year's usage on the clock, the complex recently-built for the Seattle Seahawks American football side opened its doors to Chelsea.

Half-an-hour's drive inland from the team's quayside hotel, VMAC as the centre is called, doesn't lose out on scenery given the huge lake close by the two pitches upon which Chelsea trained.

VMAC is also used by Seattle Sounders MLS team, tomorrow's opposition, but it was the Seahawks' big star who was there to welcome the Chelsea players.

Matt Hasselbeck is quarterback for the NFL side which he led to Super Bowl XL in 2006. He wears the number 8 so it was only correct that shirts were exchanged with Frank Lampard.

John Terry also had a lengthy chat with Hesselbeck and Seahawks wide receiver Courtney Taylor, but these being professional sportsmen at the top of their games, it wasn't too long before a ball appeared and they were being tested at less familiar skills than usual.

While Michael Ballack proved categorically that he would not be German national captain at the American version of the game, spilling both his passes from Hasselbeck, Terry will be pleased with his two catches out of two and Didier Drogba also safely pouched.

'It is probably one of the most beautiful settings in the world for someone to go to work, right here on the shores of Lake Washington. We feel really lucky,' agreed Hasselbeck when complemented on facilities.

He's actually 'off-season' at the moment but had returned to Seattle for his mother's birthday and to see the Chelsea v Sounders match.

'It has been a lot of fun watching the Sounders this year, and Freddie Ljungberg is here now and it will be exciting to watch the game tomorrow. I was at the Brazil game [versus Canada] in the stadium last year and there was so much excitement then and the city is already very excited for the match tomorrow.

'The last time Chelsea were in town and played Celtic, that was crazy, wild, a lot of electricity, and it is a great thing for the city.'

Chelsea's schedule takes the team to train in the Qwest Stadium on Friday afternoon. The morning's training had been typical for the lead-up to an opening pre-season game, with plenty of small group, small exercise training to sharpen up the reactions.

Hasselbeck probably admired what he saw there but before he left he was asked if he was impressed by the team's catching skills.

'No not really, but I think they might have had a better chance with their feet, or chest to thigh to feet, but it is a pointy ball and it will hurt you if it hits you in the chest.

'But their athleticism is incredible,' he added.