It was under testing conditions that a 10-man Chelsea side battled back to twice equalise for their first draw in the Disney Soccer Showcase.

Having already qualified at the top of the group with two wins from the first two matches, the Academy team played over 80 minutes in hot and humid weather against a Lower Merion SC team looking to salvage their participation in the Orlando tournament.

The Academy team's manager Paul Clement (pictured) began the match with a 4-3-3 formation but was quickly forced to adapt as winger Bobby Devyne picked up a questionable red card in the ninth minute for a late tackle.

Lower Merion chose similar tactics to those used by Lonestar SC the day before, utilising long balls in the hope of finding their forwards on a breakaway.

The match's first goal came in the 24th minute as Chelsea failed to clear a throw into the box. Lower Merion midfielder Rico Milton found himself alone after a scramble and fired home into the top left corner.

Although Chelsea controlled the play throughout, Lower Merion almost scored again in the 39th minute as Escalona Voltaire beat keeper Jamal Blackman with a shot from the edge of the box, only for the ball to ricochet back off the post.

Seconds later Chelsea equalised, Frank Nouble beating two defenders and running clear into the area only to be taken down from behind by defender Jonathan Dolezal. Nouble calmly slotted home from the penalty spot.

As the second half began, Lower Merion took the lead as Voltaire crossed from the left over Blackman to Max Tassano who volleyed in at the far post.

Trailing and a man down, Chelsea pressed forward throughout the second half with Aziz Deen-Conteh and James Ashton working tirelessly in attack.

The hard work paid off in the 82nd as Deen-Conteh cut through two defenders and dribbled past a third before drilling a low left-footed shot into the net to make it 2-2.

Chelsea now face Jovanon SC of Louisville, Kentucky in the final of the Blue Showcase group at 10:45am local time today.