Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said the atmosphere at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta was "a bit strange" as his side began their Club World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC in front of swathes of empty seats.

The number of empty seats at Mercedes-Benz Stadium was hard for Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca not to notice during his club’s 2-0 win over MLS side Los Angeles FC in the group stage of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Benfica and Boca Juniors delivered the best match of the tourney so far with Benfica rallying to salvage a draw in a feisty match in Miami. Chelsea handled LAFC with ease in Atlanta, and Flamengo took care of business against Esperance in Philly.

Pedro Neto scored in the first half and Enzo Fernández in the 79th minute to give Chelsea a 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC in Group D's Club World Cup opener on Monday.

It’s taken time for the Club World Cup to build brand awareness, but opening weekend drew huge crowds in Miami, NYC and Los Angeles.

As the Club World Cup’s start date inches closer, Major League Soccer’s Players Association has been lobbying for a distribution of prize money it deems more fair for the players.

World Cup begins across North America one year from this week, sports figures from across Los Angeles are hoping the global soccer community will find the U.S. both inspiring and welcoming.