Brave LAFC Fall 2-0 to Chelsea in Club World Cup Opener in Front of Sparse Crowd
Chelsea kicked off their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup run with a 2-0 win over MLS champions Los Angeles FC at the massive Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. But with fewer than 23,000 fans in attendance, the scene raised questions about the tournament’s visibility — and LAFC raised eyebrows with a bold performance.
In front of tens of thousands of empty seats, Chelsea took the lead through Pedro Neto in the 34th minute. Despite falling behind, LAFC pushed back and showed the kind of fearless football that’s earned them respect across MLS and now, around the world.
⚽ Liam Delap Impresses on Debut
Chelsea’s new £30 million signing Liam Delap made an instant impact off the bench. The former Man City prospect delivered an assist in the 79th minute, lofting a perfect ball into the box for Enzo Fernández to tap home and seal the win.
The debut showed Delap’s confidence, physicality, and tactical understanding — attributes that may earn him more minutes going forward. Head coach Enzo Maresca praised the striker’s quick adaptation, while Delap himself said he’s ready to “thrive off the competition” for minutes.
📉 Empty Seats Highlight Scheduling Issues
Only 22,137 fans filled the stadium — just a third of its full capacity. A Monday 3PM kickoff, aligned with European TV time, was part of the problem. While Chelsea previously drew 70,000+ fans at the same venue in a 2023 friendly, the Club World Cup debut didn’t spark the same local interest.
LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo commented: “Maybe LA loves football more than Atlanta.” FIFA has yet to issue a statement regarding the disappointing attendance.
💪 LAFC Showed Fight, If Not Fortune
Despite the result, LAFC’s resilience was clear. Hugo Lloris made key early saves, and the Black & Gold defense kept Chelsea honest for most of the match. With two group-stage matches still ahead — including a crucial showdown against ES Tunis — LAFC remain very much alive in Group D.
Their courage on the ball and commitment to pressing Chelsea high will give head coach Cherundolo belief that his side can still advance.
LAFC faces ES Tunis next — a must-win match in their quest to reach the Club World Cup knockout stages.