Seattle Sounders vs. Chelsea: 5 Things to Watch as MLS Battles EPL in Friendly

The Seattle Sounders are set to host European champions Chelsea on Wednesday in a friendly clash between teams from Major League Soccer and the English Premier League.

Kickoff is set for 9:30 p.m. Eastern, with American television coverage on ESPN2. Chelsea's roster has been announced, and headline-making defender John Terry will be among the players traveling to the Pacific Northwest.

So will Eden Hazard and Marko Marin, Chelsea's two big signings so far this summer.

Here are five things to look forward to when the teams play Wednesday night.

Summer Signings

It's no exaggeration to say Eden Hazard's name was everywhere in the rumor mill last season. Seemingly every big club in Europe wanted the up-and-coming Belgian winger, but only one club could have him.

After a long, sometimes silly transfer saga, Chelsea turned out to be that team.

Hazard, 21, is expected to become a major international star. The two-time defending Ligue 1 player of the year with Lille, Hazard has turned heads across the world with an impressive and silky skill-set.

The Seattle match won't be competitive, but it could be our first chance to watch Hazard (pictured) in a game-like situation with Chelsea. His performance will be interesting viewing.

Marko Marin, meanwhile, has almost been lost in the shuffle. Bought from Werder Bremen earlier this summer, Marin is a 23-year-old German international who will face fierce competition for playing time in Chelsea's midfield.

His first steps toward winning a regular role could come in the United States.

Fredy Montero

Colombian forward Fredy Montero underlined his credentials as a game-changer during Seattle's run to the 2011 US Open Cup title, scoring the winning goals in each of the Sounders' final three matches.

More recently, Montero came off the bench to score the equalizer in Seattle's 2-2 draw with the New York Red Bulls.

In other words, Montero can hurt opposing defenses at any time. With just four league goals in 2012, however, he isn't a consistent scorer.

With the 2012 US Open Cup final looming (Aug. 8 against Sporting Kansas City), Montero and Seattle will be hoping to find their offensive rhythm.

Against Chelsea's defense, that will be quite the challenge.

Bus Parking?

Speaking of Chelsea's defense, everybody knows that the Blues had plenty of it during their run to the UEFA Champions League title last season.

Some would say Chelsea played beautiful defensive football. Others would say the Blues parked the bus and got lucky.

Regardless, it's hard to see manager Roberto Di Matteo—who recently got the job full-time—employing similar tactics against Seattle.

Question is, will Chelsea's offense purr with new faces like Eden Hazard and Marko Marin? Or will the departure of Ivorian forward Didier Drogba prove costly?

John Terry

Fresh from an acquittal in his racial-abuse trial, John Terry has been selected as part of Chelsea's touring squad.

So how will he play?

Will Terry's tumultuous summer and England's Euro 2012 campaign take a costly toll?

Or will Terry be able to shake off yet another controversy and play well? He's done so before.

Rumor Mill

The main action will take place on the field, but more could be happening off it.

Chelsea have already signed Eden Hazard and Marko Marin, but the Blues and big-spending owner Roman Abramovich might not be done.

Brazilian attacking midfielder Oscar (pictured) has been linked with a mega-money move to West London, as have a host of others.

If it's Chelsea, don't ever stop watching the transfer wire. Even if it's the middle of the night back in London.

Follow @MikeCummings37