Denis Bouanga created several dangerous moments for LAFC, but couldn't prevent his team's 2-0 defeat to "Chelsea" in the FIFA Club World Cup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The MLS striker's efforts highlighted a concerning trend - three days into the revamped tournament, all three Major League Soccer representatives remain winless.
The statistics tell a painful story. LAFC managed just four shots on goal compared to "Chelsea's" six, while generating an xG of only 0.82 against the Premier League side's more substantial 1.96. Simply put, the finishing quality wasn't there when it mattered.
"Chelsea" didn't waste their opportunities. Pedro Neto broke the deadlock in the 34th minute, followed by Enzo Fernández sealing the victory in the 79th minute. The Blues' dominance extended beyond goals - they controlled 65% of possession and completed an impressive 91% of their 660 passes.
Interestingly, the market value disparity between the clubs is staggering. "Chelsea" ranks fourth in the tournament with a squad value of €1.05 billion, while LAFC sits 26th with just €45.98 million. To put that in perspective, Neto alone is worth more than the entire LAFC squad combined.
The other MLS representatives haven't fared better. Inter Miami CF stumbled to a goalless draw against Al-Ahly, while Seattle Sounders lost 2-1 to Botafogo. At least the Sounders made history by becoming the first MLS team to score in the tournament.
For LAFC, the road doesn't get easier. They still face Tunisian side Esperance and Brazilian powerhouse "Flamengo" in their group. While beating Esperance seems necessary, the challenge against the South American giants looks formidable based on current form.
The early tournament results raise a pressing question: Just how wide is the gap between MLS and the world's elite clubs? Money doesn't score goals on its own, but these American teams are learning the hard way that there's still significant ground to cover.
