$25 to watch Chelsea train? No thanks. Chelsea are in Chicago today playing against a Major Soccer League (MLS) XI at the impressive Toyota Park, which Chicago Fire only moved into in June. The game is a 22,000 sell out, with other people obviously not put off like I was by tickets costing between $50 and $125. And you thought 10 quid was a waste of money at Welling last week? For $25 I could have today gone and watched them train. Nah, I don't think so!

Chelski have brought their full squad to the windy city, except Gallas, with Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack expected to make their debuts. Meanwhile only one Chicago Fire player is in the MLS squad, striker Nate Jaqua.

Chicago Fire by the way are having a dismal spell in the MLS. After playing there first 9 games away from home, whilst waiting for their new stadium to be finished, they managed to only lose 3 games but after starting well in their new surroundings they have now not won at Toyota Park for 5 games but that did include a 1-1 draw against runaway league leaders DC United in front of 15,000 fans.

DC United, with Freddy Adu at last showing signs of what was once mass hysteria potential, are by far the best team in the country but in a tight Eastern Division Chicago are still in with a shout of making the ridiculous lengthy play-off's at the season end.

Update: MLS XI 1 Chelsea 0  ¶ 10:24