Liam Delap marked his Chelsea debut with a lively 30-minute cameo, showcasing pace, creativity, and composure in the final third. Signed from Ipswich Town for £30 million earlier this month, the 21-year-old striker wasted no time in making his presence felt after being introduced in the 64th minute. He first impressed with a powerful run at LAFC captain Aaron Long, nearly setting up Enzo Fernandez with a threaded pass that split the defence.
Minutes later, Delap delivered a perfectly chipped cross from the right flank, which Fernandez converted from close range to seal Chelsea’s 2-0 victory. The forward nearly registered another assist late on with a surging 25-yard dribble that left LAFC defenders scrambling. It was a promising first outing that suggests the young Englishman could become a regular fixture in Chelsea’s frontline.
Another debutant, Portuguese midfielder Dario Essugo, also got a brief runout and looked tidy in possession. The victory extends Chelsea’s impressive run of form to eight wins from their last nine matches, including their recent triumph in the UEFA Europa Conference League final.
Chelsea Do Just Enough in a Workmanlike Win
Despite the scoreline, Chelsea’s performance was far from convincing. The Blues laboured through large stretches of the match, often struggling to impose their rhythm against a determined Los Angeles FC side that featured 2022 World Cup winners Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris.
Pedro Neto opened the scoring midway through the first half, racing onto a through ball before finishing neatly at the near post. The goal settled Chelsea’s nerves but did little to spark sustained dominance. LAFC had their moments, particularly through Denis Bouanga and substitute David Martinez, both of whom spurned clear chances that might have altered the outcome.
In the end, Chelsea’s superior finishing made the difference, with Delap and Fernandez providing the necessary spark. Manager Enzo Maresca will likely be concerned by his team’s sluggish build-up play and defensive lapses, though the result keeps them on course in Group D.
Empty Seats Overshadow Opening Match
The match’s most striking image was not a goal or a standout play—it was the sight of thousands of empty red seats inside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Just 22,137 fans attended the game, a stark contrast to the venue’s capacity of over 71,000. The sparse turnout raised eyebrows and questions, particularly with the United States set to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Several factors were blamed for the low attendance: the 3pm weekday kickoff, minimal local promotion, high ticket prices, and competition from other events such as a Power Rangers convention and a UFC card. Despite Atlanta United leading Major League Soccer in average attendance with over 44,000 fans per game, interest in this international club fixture appeared to be lacking.
This was the same stadium that hosted over 70,000 fans for a Chelsea-Newcastle friendly just two years ago, underlining the drop in enthusiasm. FIFA has yet to comment, but the optics of such a low turnout are bound to trigger discussions ahead of next year’s global showpiece.
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Delap Impresses on Debut as Chelsea Beat LAFC in Front of Sparse Atlanta Crowd
Los Angeles FC, considered underdogs going into the match, gave a respectable account of themselves. The MLS side featured French veterans Giroud and Lloris, whose experience anchored the attack and defense respectively. However, their younger teammates struggled with decision-making in key moments.
Denis Bouanga and David Martinez both had golden chances to put LAFC on the scoresheet but lacked the clinical edge needed at this level. Still, LAFC’s pressing and midfield organization caused problems for Chelsea, particularly in the first half.
Manager Steve Cherundolo can take heart from the performance, even if the result leaves his side with work to do. The tournament represents a unique opportunity for the club to test itself against elite opposition, and they will look to bounce back in their next match.
What’s Next in Group D
Chelsea’s next test comes on Friday when they face Brazilian giants Flamengo in Philadelphia at 19:00 BST. Victory would all but secure their place in the knockout stage. The match will be another stern test, with Flamengo expected to bring strong support and flair to the encounter.
Meanwhile, LAFC travel to Nashville to take on Tunisian side ES Tunis at 23:00 BST. Both sides will be desperate for points after opening-match setbacks. The final round of Group D matches takes place next Tuesday, with Chelsea facing ES Tunis and LAFC squaring off against Flamengo.
As the group stage unfolds, Chelsea will aim to build on their early momentum, while LAFC hope to turn encouraging signs into tangible results. For all teams involved, the path to Club World Cup glory remains wide open.
