Avoid defeat tonight at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia this evening and the Blues will progress to the Round of 16, where we would face Portuguese giants Benfica.

Maresca said that the scorching heat would lead to rotation, and the Blues' head coach has been true to his word.

Filip Jorgensen begins in goal behind a back four that consists of Malo Gusto, Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Josh Acheampong.

Romeo Lavia returns to the Blues midfield and will be partnered by Enzo Fernandez, who captains the side. Moises Caicedo drops to the substitutes' bench, as do Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke come into the attacking quartet, with Liam Delap continuing to lead the line in the absence of the suspended Nicolas Jackson.

Chelsea: Jorgensen; Gusto, Tosin, Badiashile, Acheampong; Lavia, Fernandez (c); Dewsbury-Hall, Nkunku, Madueke; Delap

Chelsea substitutes: Sanchez, Penders, James, Chalobah, Colwill, Sarr, Anselmino, Cucurella, Essugo, Andrey Santos, Caicedo, Pedro Neto, Palmer, George, Guiu