Raheem Sterling netted his first Chelsea goal but saw his side beaten 5-3 on penalties by Charlotte FC.
The England winger, signed for £47.5million from Manchester City last week, was among ten changes made by Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel at half time, Sterling had a quiet game with his best chance saved at the near post by substitute keeper Pablo Sisniega late on.
It was Christian Pulisic who put Chelsea ahead in the first half in his homeland with a classy finish from close range, lobbing keeper Krisija Kahlina. Charlotte forward Daniel Rios equalised a minute from time from the spot after rookie defender Trevoh Chalobah had handled.
Sterling scored in the subsequent penalty shootout along with Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell. But Conor Gallagher, auditioning for a place in Tuchel’s first-team Chelsea plans this season, missed with an attempted panenka. Former Derby winger Kamil Joswiak, 24, netted the winner to spark jubilant scenes for the home crowd at the Bank of America Stadium.
Here are five talking points from the contest.
1 Yet to Ster
A quiet start to life in a Chelsea shirt for Raheem Sterling who enjoyed few touches and even fewer clear cut opportunities against a spirited Charlotte. Two of his better moments came midway through the second half (he came on as part of ten changes at the break). For the first, Sterling powered down the left but his ball into the box lacked accuracy. For the second he traded passes with Kenedy but had his shot blocked.
In his third. Gallagher and Havertz combined to release him down the right. Kenedy raced into the box unmarked but Sterling cheekily tried to squeeze the ball in between the keeper Pablo Sisniega and his near post. Sisniega reacted superbly well with his feet to keep it out.
2. Cris of Life
A tricky start with a dicey challenge on defender Jan Sobocinski for which he was booked early in the first half. But a terrific finish in front of a delighted crowd - most of whom wore shirts bearing his name. Playing in a three behind striker Bayshuayi, Pulisic was electric, committing defenders and threading passes through for Alonso and Ziyech, neither of whom could make the most of their opportunities. Pulisic looks set to be one of those most affected by the arrival of Sterling. Should he stay, however - he refused to discuss his future pre-match - he could yet make an effective contribution.
3 And now you're gonna be-Lev it
Judging by his cameo here the hype around teenage defender Levi Colwill is justified. The nineteen-year-old had a nervous first few touches but soon settled into his appearance as part of a completely new Chelsea team - bar keeper Mendy - at the start of the second half. Calm in possession, efficient with his distribution, he capped off a good display with a fine recovery tackle to stop forward Daniel Rios from equalizing deep into the second half.
The Colwill camp say he will look to go out on loan if Chelsea sign more defenders. Whatever Premier League gets him will have a real gem on their hands.
4 On the mend
After missing last Saturday’s win over Club America, first choice keeper Edouard Mendy was back as the last line of defence we’ve come to feel most comfortable with in a Chelsea shirt. It didn’t take long for him to show us why.
His was a superb save from striker Karol Swiderski early on. The Poland international striker had stooped low to head in a cross at the back post but found Mendy had made himself big to worry him out of it.
Yes, he’d had no chance against a deflected effort from Jordy Reina in the 22nd minute which smacked the angle of post and bar. Mendy was also left exposed when Swiderski panicked and rushed his shot five minutes before the break, sending it wide. But he pulled off a solid save from Andre Shinjashiki with 25 minutes left and, overall, no Chelsea fan will have any concerns about their goalkeeping situation going into the new season.
5 Bat's not entertainment
Michy Batshuayi was here in the shop window, nothing else. He clearly isn’t the one up front for this Chelsea team. He isn’t even the second one or the third. At times as you watched here you wished for something to make the footballing pain stop. Ten minutes in he was on a different planet as Hakim Ziyech played him in, failing to read the ball or appreciate the opportunity.
Ten minutes before the break he beat the offside trap from the half way line, only to allow the defenders to catch him up. He cut inside and although keeper Kristian Kahlina pulled off a fine save he never should have been given the chance. Batshuayi knows full this is it before he goes out on loan again - it is simply a question of where.
