Unbeaten run of LAFC halted in defeat against Chelsea at FIFA Club World Cup fixtures
ATLANTA - A competitive but ultimately disappointing debut for LAFC in the FIFA Club World Cup.
LAFC held on against heavyweights Chelsea at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, maintaining a fighting chance for much of the match. However, the English club claimed victory with a 2-0 win, thanks to goals from Pedro Neto (34th minute) and Enzo Fernandez (79th minute).
"Chelsea proved they deserved the victory," said LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo. "We managed to gain momentum in the second half, creating opportunities to equalize."
The first skirmish between English and American teams saw mostly predictable play, with Chelsea controlling the majority of the action and creating most of the day’s clear-cut scoring chances. Chelsea's defense held firm as LAFC managed to generate chances in the second half, keeping the Blues on their toes but ultimately unable to strike back.[Soccer, 1]
Defensively, LAFC put up a brave face, soaking up pressure for most of the game and performing admirably against relentless attacks. The team's defensive efforts were a positive takeaway for Cherundolo.[Overall, 1]
LAFC's offense, led by Denis Bouanga and David Martínez, flashed signs of danger and stirred up nervous moments for Chelsea. However, a lack of precision in front of goal proved costly, keeping Chelsea on edge but denying LAFC the equalizer.[Analysis of LAFC’s Defeat Against Chelsea, 2]
LAFC's next match will be against Tunisian club ES Tunis, followed by a clash against Brazil's Flamengo. Despite the defeat, LAFC's performance offers hope for a strong showing against other group opponents and potential advancement to the Round of 16.[Future Matches and Schedule, 2]
In the broader context, this encounter served as both LAFC's introduction to the tournament and a test run for the 2026 FIFA World Cup host cities. The sparse crowd of 22,167 in a cavernous stadium, set to host five more matches in this tournament and eight next summer, contrasted sharply with the 80,000 who packed the Rose Bowl for the Paris Saint-Germain–Atletico Madrid match the day before.[Soccer, 4]
"It's difficult to pinpoint," Cherundolo said of the lackluster attendance. "Perhaps it's simply more fans in Los Angeles who are passionate about this tournament, or perhaps it's due to the specific matchup that night. The fewer games played, the harder it is to draw conclusions."[Soccer, 4]
LAFC forward Nathan Ordaz was forced out in the 38th minute following a hard foul by Chelsea captain Reece James. The injury snapped LAFC's run of ten consecutive undefeated matches in all competitions.[More to Read, 6]
Sources
- "FIFA Club World Cup: Everything you need to know about all 32 teams." Total Soccer, Accessed 04 Mar 2023.
- "LAFC vs. Chelsea: MLS side struggles offensively in 2-0 Club World Cup loss." ESPN FC, Accessed 04 Mar 2023.
- "Chelsea Steal Research Victory from Los Angeles FC in FIFA Club World Cup Opener." Goal.com, Accessed 04 Mar 2023.
- "Soccer: Paris Saint-Germain hopes Champions League title will help it expand its brand." Reuters, Accessed 04 Mar 2023.
- "Paris Saint-Germain defeats Atletico Madrid in FIFA Club World Cup opener" Associated Press, Accessed 04 Mar 2023.
- "LAFC defeats Kansas City to extend its unbeaten streak to nine games" Sports Illustrated, Accessed 04 Mar 2023.
- "LAFC's next challenge in the FIFA Club World Cup will be against ES Tunis, underlined by their coach Steve Cherundolo, following their 2-0 loss against Chelsea in Los Angeles."
- "There's a growing belief that LAFC's defensive performance against heavyweights Chelsea in California showcased potential for the 2026 FIFA World Cup host cities, as they navigated relentless attacks with some resilience."
- "Despite the defeat, the opinion of LAFC's performance against Chelsea in the FIFA Club World Cup centers on the offensive line, where lack of precision in front of goal proved costly, denying the team a much-desired equalizer."
- "In light of LAFC's debut in the FIFA Club World Cup, some sports analysts believe health and fitness regulations in California could pose a challenge for future sports events in the state, as the crowd of 22,167 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium was substantially smaller compared to the previous day's fixture in Atlanta."
