LOS ANGELES, July 31 (UPI) -- U.S. soccer fans are rushing to catch up with the Chelsea phenomenon as the British team holds its preseason training in the United States.
The buzz surrounding the once low-rated club is the result of what Russian oil tycoon Roman Abramovich has been able to do since he acquired the team.
Chelsea has won the last two British Premiership titles and has set its sights this season on the Champions League title, the top crown in the European club soccer, reports USA Today. Chelsea currently is regarded the best team in England.
The team trained this weekend at the UCLA campus in Los Angeles and was besieged by fans young and old.
"The whole thing is a remarkable story," Bobby McMahon, an analyst for Fox Soccer Channel, told the newspaper. "This team was rescued from imminent disaster. It's pretty incredulous to suddenly go from a mediocre club with a dire financial future to being this super team with more money than, like, anybody ever has had."
In 2004, the club was valued at $339 million by Forbes. This year it is valued at $508 million.
