As the Club World Cup approaches its peak in intensity, the opening match between Chelsea and LAFC on Monday offered a subdued preview. The 2-0 Chelsea win in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium felt more like a friendly than a high-stakes tournament clash.
Both teams performed adequately LAFC showed resilience without shame, and Chelsea did what was necessary in their first Group D outing. But the real story was in the stands: vast sections of the stadium sat mostly empty, with an announced attendance of just 22,137 in a venue that typically holds 42,500 for soccer and 71,000 for NFL games.
The low turnout could be due to several factors: the 3 p.m. Monday kickoff, the lack of widespread interest in the teams, ticket prices, or perhaps a broader disillusionment with the tournament itself. Whatever the reason, the atmosphere felt hollow echoes and silence filling a stadium that usually roars with energy.
The notable exception was a passionate group of LAFC supporters known as the 3252, who occupied the space behind the west goal. The 500-strong fan base kept drums, chants, and flags flying from kickoff through both halves, providing a lively counterpoint to the otherwise muted scene. LAFC midfielder Mark Delgado praised their effort, saying, “They showed out here to support us, came a long way. We definitely noticed them the whole match.”
Outside of this group, the crowd mostly dressed in Chelsea blue felt like they were waiting for something more exciting, more electric. The atmosphere was reminiscent of a routine car service appointment rather than a marquee international event.
LAFC, the last team to qualify for the tournament after an overtime win over Club América, entered with high expectations. Chelsea, fresh off a Conference League victory and a solid Premier League finish, was seen as a heavy favorite, making the match somewhat predictable.
“Give them a moment, they’ll punish you,” Delgado remarked, referencing Chelsea’s quality and defensive prowess. “When you’re playing with a top team and top defenders, you don’t get as many chances as in MLS. It’s another level here.”
As the competition unfolds, the question remains whether the tournament’s true excitement will ignite in the coming weeks or if the opening act will leave a lingering sense of it being underwhelming.
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