With the countdown to our 2024 USA tour well underway, we've delved into the archives to look back at some of our best Stateside strikes.

Twenty years ago the Blues headed across the Atlantic for our maiden pre-season tour of America in the summer of 2004.

And since the first game of that tour - a 4-2 win over Celtic in Seattle - we've had our fair share of classic encounters that have lit up stadiums across the States.

With that in mind, we've picked out five of the best goals scored on some of our previous expeditions to the USA.

2009 - Didier Drogba v Milan

Didier knew how to score a screamer. Liverpool at the Bridge in 2006, Everton away only a few months later. But a stunning strike against AC Milan in Baltimore during our 2009 tour is right up there with his best goals in Blue.


Receiving a pass from John Terry midway through the Italians' half, Drogba turned towards goal and with Milan players backing off, in a split-second our Ivorian preceded to launch a ferocious drive that flew into the top corner.

Milan goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac barely saw the ball before it hit the net. Drogba's goal would set us on the way to a 2-1 win.

2012 - John Terry v MLS All-Stars

John Terry treated Blues fans in Pennsylvania to one of his trademark finishes during our 2012 tour.

Facing an MLS All-Stars side which included David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Landon Donovon, we trailed to an early goal from Chris Wondolowski.


But two club legends combined to get us level as in the 32nd minute, Frank Lampard delivered a perfect corner which was attacked emphatically by Terry.

Our captain rose high to plant a strong header into the goal, managing to even beat a defender on the goal line in the process - the perfect example of how he was able to score so many from defence over the years.

2013 - Oscar v Internazionale

The trip across the pond the following year saw us take part in the first ever International Champions Cup.

Inter Milan provided the opposition for the opening game in Indianapolis and would also feature one of the goals of the tournament.


Only 13 minutes into the contest, our midfield magician Oscar picked up the ball just outside the penalty area, after Victor Moses' driving run through midfield.

The Brazilian cut inside before unleashing a curling effort into the far corner. A goal worthy of winning any match, anywhere in the world.

2013 - Ramires v Real Madrid

Oscar wasn't the only Brazilian to score a stunner on our 2013 tour. Only a week on from the Inter game, Chelsea were down in Miami for the final of the International Champions Cup against Real Madrid.

The Spanish giants had struck first through Marcelo, but we managed to draw level only two minutes later thanks to a piece of individual brilliance.


After playing a quick give-and-go in midfield with Eden Hazard, Ramires charged onto a clever lay-off from Romelu Lukaku, bursting through the entirety of Real's defence.

With shades of his memorable goal against Barcelona in Camp Nou a year before, the Brazilian chipped Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas with a sublime effort to score a wonderful solo strike.

2023 - Mykhailo Mudryk v Brighton

Our most memorable goal from more recent stateside visits comes courtesy of last summer's clash with Brighton & Hove Albion in Philadelphia.

The Premier League Summer Series thriller produced some wonderful attacking with the pick of the strikes from our Ukrainian international Mykhailo Mudryk.


Midway through the second half, Mudryk received the ball down the left flank, but he then clipped the ball to Nicolas Jackson.

The two exchanged passes, then did so again, to give Mudryk enough space on the edge of the box to fire an exquisite shot into the Brighton goal.

Chelsea’s USA Tour 2024