Liam Delap’s lively debut lifts Chelsea in subdued club World Cup opener marked by empty stands.
Chelsea began their Club World Cup campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Los Angeles FC, but the real story unfolded beyond the pitch. Despite the presence of big names and global hype, only 22,137 spectators turned up to the cavernous Mercedes-Benz Stadium — a third of its 75,000 capacity — to watch a match played in a strangely subdued atmosphere.
The Monday afternoon kickoff time didn’t help. Nor did the lack of local enthusiasm. Atlanta, often considered the heartbeat of American soccer, looked disinterested in a clash between a Premier League giant and middling MLS opposition. The upper tiers of the stadium remained shuttered, and even last-minute ticket discounts failed to ignite interest.
Fifa, keen to turn the newly expanded Club World Cup into a must-watch spectacle, will view the turnout as an embarrassing setback. This city, after all, regularly draws 45,000 fans for Atlanta United MLS games and once welcomed over 70,000 for a Chelsea pre-season friendly against Newcastle. The contrast was jarring.
But at least those who showed up witnessed Liam Delap’s promising debut. Signed from Ipswich for £30m, the 22-year-old forward wasted no time justifying his fee. Wearing the No 9 shirt, Delap was introduced midway through the second half with Chelsea wobbling slightly under brief LAFC pressure.
His bustling energy changed the tone. Moments after nearly setting up Enzo Fernández, Delap burst down the right again and picked out the Argentine midfielder’s run. Fernández did the rest, sealing the result in the 79th minute.
Earlier, Chelsea had taken the lead through Pedro Neto, who fired home after a smart reverse pass from Nicolas Jackson. The Senegalese forward, whose inconsistent finishing frustrated fans last season, looked sharp and influential — too good, frankly, for LAFC’s defence.
Jackson’s link-up play, physicality, and movement caused problems throughout. Though he missed a second-half header, his contribution to Neto’s goal highlighted his value to Enzo Maresca’s system. “It’s a nice feeling for a manager to have two strikers,” Maresca said, noting the growing competition between Jackson and Delap.
Chelsea fielded a familiar lineup, with no summer signings starting. Reece James and Roméo Lavia were substituted at half-time, likely precautionary moves after a taxing campaign. Chelsea will need to rotate carefully as the tournament progresses, with Flamengo awaiting in Philadelphia on Friday.
LAFC, featuring veterans Hugo Lloris and Olivier Giroud, offered brief resistance. Martínez and Bouanga had chances to level early in the second half, but Robert Sánchez stood firm. Ultimately, the MLS side’s lack of quality told.
Chelsea’s bench made the difference. Delap, in particular, looked like a player with a point to prove. Powerful and determined, his debut adds intrigue ahead of the Premier League season, where competition for forward spots will intensify.
Still, the game’s lasting image might not be Delap’s assist or Fernández’s celebration — but the vast expanse of empty red seats encircling the pitch. For Fifa’s Club World Cup ambitions to take root, star power alone won’t suffice. Local fans need to care. On this evidence, many don’t.
