ON ROAD:
LOS ANGELES
Experiencing the Club World Cup at the iconic Rose Bowl
Words & Photos: Gisoo Kim
On a random winter day, I received an email about an opportunity to attend the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. At that time, as with most Canadians, travelling to the States felt like an uncertain affair. The only ICE I wanted was a Montreal winter. However, I couldn’t let this opportunity go unrealized.
I decided to travel to Los Angeles to experience the iconic Rose Bowl. Moreover, to witness PSG, Atlético Madrid, Inter Milan, Botafogo and Monterrey play in one of the country’s most historic stadiums.
Please note: if you want to know about the details of the game, watch the highlights. I am a “vibes journalist.”
I decided to travel to Los Angeles to experience the iconic Rose Bowl. Moreover, to witness PSG, Atlético Madrid, Inter Milan, Botafogo and Monterrey play in one of the country’s most historic stadiums.
Please note: if you want to know about the details of the game, watch the highlights. I am a “vibes journalist.”
Match 1: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atlético Madrid
Outside of Los Angeles, the Rose Bowl Stadium is located in Pasadena, overlooking the mountains of the Angeles National Forest. As I drove to the venue from Old Pasadena, I passed through suburban neighbourhoods dotted with beautiful homes styled in Colonial Spanish and Mediterranean architecture, Craftsman-style homes, along with modern and post-modern houses—something you will seldom see in the Canadian East. As we approach the stadium, the narrow roads and wooded neighbourhoods open into a valley where the iconic Rose Bowl sits in the middle of this space, a true colosseum.
PSG and Atlético Madrid kits are on full display. The mixture of Spanish, English and some French filled the air. You couldn’t ignore that the majority of fans are of Hispanic origin.
Outside of Los Angeles, the Rose Bowl Stadium is located in Pasadena, overlooking the mountains of the Angeles National Forest. As I drove to the venue from Old Pasadena, I passed through suburban neighbourhoods dotted with beautiful homes styled in Colonial Spanish and Mediterranean architecture, Craftsman-style homes, along with modern and post-modern houses—something you will seldom see in the Canadian East. As we approach the stadium, the narrow roads and wooded neighbourhoods open into a valley where the iconic Rose Bowl sits in the middle of this space, a true colosseum.
PSG and Atlético Madrid kits are on full display. The mixture of Spanish, English and some French filled the air. You couldn’t ignore that the majority of fans are of Hispanic origin.
There was a sense of gratefulness among the supporters. For once, they can watch their clubs live and become a part of the history of the Rose Bowl in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup. It felt like a PSG home match. Every goal, tackle and play from the European Champions was deafening. For Atletico, the excitement came whenever Antoine Griezmann or Julian Alvarez touched the ball.
As the sun rose, the California heat slowly took hold of the open-air stadium, and both fans and players struggled against the sun. Sweaty is the word. The players looked tired and sluggish towards the end of the game, but pushed on. However, rain or shine, PSG were miles ahead of Atlético. Vitinha and Hakimi stood out. Atletico had no answers against them.
Truthfully, despite being a high-scoring game, it was not the best game. It was a one-sided affair. Moreover, the heat and exposure to the sun made this an uncomfortable experience. People were clamouring for shade, and I’ve seen people suffer from heat strokes. The heat was unbearable, and the traffic going in and out of the stadium was disastrous. Over 80,000 fans attended this game. If FIFA were to use the Rose Bowl for World Cup games, please, keep the games past 3 p.m.
As the sun rose, the California heat slowly took hold of the open-air stadium, and both fans and players struggled against the sun. Sweaty is the word. The players looked tired and sluggish towards the end of the game, but pushed on. However, rain or shine, PSG were miles ahead of Atlético. Vitinha and Hakimi stood out. Atletico had no answers against them.
Truthfully, despite being a high-scoring game, it was not the best game. It was a one-sided affair. Moreover, the heat and exposure to the sun made this an uncomfortable experience. People were clamouring for shade, and I’ve seen people suffer from heat strokes. The heat was unbearable, and the traffic going in and out of the stadium was disastrous. Over 80,000 fans attended this game. If FIFA were to use the Rose Bowl for World Cup games, please, keep the games past 3 p.m.
Match 2: Monterrey vs Inter Milan
A Mexican club playing in Southern California? That means Inter Milan are playing away. California was once Mexico, and culturally continues to be Mexican. The North end of the Rose Bowl was the heart of CF Monterrey supporters. The energy and pulse of the supporters emanated from the North end. Navy blue and white coloured the stadium, drowning Inter’s colours. Banners, flags and tifos decorated the Monterrey section. Drums and horns dictated the rhythm. Children on their father’s shoulders and men with tattoos united under the Monterrey banner.
Although less visible, Inter Milan supporters held their own on the South Side. Inter Club Los Angeles had set up their banners. The LA-based supporters club have entered a new era. The presidents, whose names have been withheld, wanted to bring Inter Club LA from a simple community group into the social media era. From the perspective of supporter representation, Inter were the minnows facing the roaring majority of Monterrey. However, on the pitch, it was a different story, kind of.
A Mexican club playing in Southern California? That means Inter Milan are playing away. California was once Mexico, and culturally continues to be Mexican. The North end of the Rose Bowl was the heart of CF Monterrey supporters. The energy and pulse of the supporters emanated from the North end. Navy blue and white coloured the stadium, drowning Inter’s colours. Banners, flags and tifos decorated the Monterrey section. Drums and horns dictated the rhythm. Children on their father’s shoulders and men with tattoos united under the Monterrey banner.
Although less visible, Inter Milan supporters held their own on the South Side. Inter Club Los Angeles had set up their banners. The LA-based supporters club have entered a new era. The presidents, whose names have been withheld, wanted to bring Inter Club LA from a simple community group into the social media era. From the perspective of supporter representation, Inter were the minnows facing the roaring majority of Monterrey. However, on the pitch, it was a different story, kind of.
All I have to say: Sergio Ramos header. A flashback of the 2014 Champions League finals. Sergio Canales, the hipster’s #10, displayed why he had so much hype in Spain. Electric on the ball and the decibel levels from the Monterrey supporters increased every time he touched the ball. Inter Milan was almost irrelevant in this game, despite their perfectly executed set-piece goal.
California is Mexico. Monterrey supporters set the vibe and ambiance. They were welcoming and wanted to have their pictures taken. A random lady asked to have a selfie with me. I felt famous. The atmosphere is what I wanted, and if this is a taste of Mexico, I want more.
This game was far more entertaining than PSG vs Atlético and played at a reasonable time and temperature. Moreover, it was a well-balanced game that any club could’ve won.
California is Mexico. Monterrey supporters set the vibe and ambiance. They were welcoming and wanted to have their pictures taken. A random lady asked to have a selfie with me. I felt famous. The atmosphere is what I wanted, and if this is a taste of Mexico, I want more.
This game was far more entertaining than PSG vs Atlético and played at a reasonable time and temperature. Moreover, it was a well-balanced game that any club could’ve won.
Day 3: PSG vs Botafogo
Six O’clock kick-off, this is the vibe. It’s hot in the sun but with a breeze that sets everything right. The fans started trickling in an hour before game time, and a mass of PSG supporters were visible in the North end. I went to investigate.
As I approached the PSG faithful, I found them to be members of the PSG Club Los Angeles and a contingent from the PSG Club Montreal. The Montrealers were a major component in the chanting. Many of the LA members are Americans who have fallen in love with PSG and are learning the songs in French. Whereas the MTL members are mostly Parisians who live in Quebec and are already familiar with the chants. While the PSG clubs sang in the sun, Botafogo supporters started gathering at the opposite end.
As I walked around the bowl to reach the other side, the south end of the stadium began to fill with black and white kits. Banners and flags were being set up, and Brazilian Portuguese started dominating the air.
Botafogo supporters came from across the US, gathered at the Rose Bowl. Every supporter was on the same page. Each fan knew every song and was coordinated in handing out flags and balloons. I got into the middle of the masses, and for a moment, I was granted a portal into Rio de Janeiro.
Six O’clock kick-off, this is the vibe. It’s hot in the sun but with a breeze that sets everything right. The fans started trickling in an hour before game time, and a mass of PSG supporters were visible in the North end. I went to investigate.
As I approached the PSG faithful, I found them to be members of the PSG Club Los Angeles and a contingent from the PSG Club Montreal. The Montrealers were a major component in the chanting. Many of the LA members are Americans who have fallen in love with PSG and are learning the songs in French. Whereas the MTL members are mostly Parisians who live in Quebec and are already familiar with the chants. While the PSG clubs sang in the sun, Botafogo supporters started gathering at the opposite end.
As I walked around the bowl to reach the other side, the south end of the stadium began to fill with black and white kits. Banners and flags were being set up, and Brazilian Portuguese started dominating the air.
Botafogo supporters came from across the US, gathered at the Rose Bowl. Every supporter was on the same page. Each fan knew every song and was coordinated in handing out flags and balloons. I got into the middle of the masses, and for a moment, I was granted a portal into Rio de Janeiro.
It was an hour before kick-off, the drums had come out, both men and women were dancing, singing and in a state of euphoria. It wasn’t just about football; this was an opportunity for Botafogo fans to express themselves as Brazilians living in the diaspora. For the over 53,000 that attended that game, it felt like the majority were Brazilians. The truth is, they were the loudest and most passionate.
Botafogo means “set it on fire” in Portuguese, a story related to colonization and boom sticks. Based on the energy and passion I saw among the Brazilians, Botafogo is an appropriate phrase to describe what I saw. Pure fire. This is why we love this game.
For the football itself, it was surprisingly a balanced game. Vintinha, Achraf Hakimi and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are incredible to watch live—pure art. Botafogo as a collective demonstrated Joga Bonito. When Igor Jesus scored for Botafogo, I must have gone deaf for a second. This is the Club World Cup magic, clubs that would seldom meet in a competitive setting go toe-to-toe on the pitch and in the stands.
Botafogo means “set it on fire” in Portuguese, a story related to colonization and boom sticks. Based on the energy and passion I saw among the Brazilians, Botafogo is an appropriate phrase to describe what I saw. Pure fire. This is why we love this game.
For the football itself, it was surprisingly a balanced game. Vintinha, Achraf Hakimi and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are incredible to watch live—pure art. Botafogo as a collective demonstrated Joga Bonito. When Igor Jesus scored for Botafogo, I must have gone deaf for a second. This is the Club World Cup magic, clubs that would seldom meet in a competitive setting go toe-to-toe on the pitch and in the stands.
Reflection
What I’ve learned from this tournament, despite top European clubs like Chelsea winning the competition, this was a pivotal moment for smaller clubs outside of Conmebol and UEFA given the opportunity to express themselves on the world stage. Online, we saw countless videos of fans of Wydad Casablanca, Auckland City FC, ES Tunis, and Urawa Reds go viral for their passion. They also all got serious bags.
As I grow older, I care less about the big clubs and develop a deeper appreciation for the clubs that are loved locally. The Chelsea-PSG final is almost an afterthought. All I will remember are the Botafogo supporters and the Monterrey drums and banners. Truly like the FIFA World Cup, this is a prime opportunity for smaller teams to display their worth. The supporters will add value to that experience.
If ever you decide to go to any international competition, club or country, Euros or World Cup, go and be among the “smaller” teams. That is special. Football beauty lives everywhere but there’s a magic sauce with underdogs. Even if it’s two major clubs like Boca Juniors vs Bayern Munich, go sit with Boca fans. The spirit of Maradona will be felt, and I am not talking about drugs.
Given the context of ICE deportations. It was ironic for Trump to attend the Club World Cup final as the majority of fans are, arguably, immigrants. As a son of immigrants, soccer/football is alive in North America because of immigrants. They brought the game and passion into the promise land. Please, get off the stage.
What I’ve learned from this tournament, despite top European clubs like Chelsea winning the competition, this was a pivotal moment for smaller clubs outside of Conmebol and UEFA given the opportunity to express themselves on the world stage. Online, we saw countless videos of fans of Wydad Casablanca, Auckland City FC, ES Tunis, and Urawa Reds go viral for their passion. They also all got serious bags.
As I grow older, I care less about the big clubs and develop a deeper appreciation for the clubs that are loved locally. The Chelsea-PSG final is almost an afterthought. All I will remember are the Botafogo supporters and the Monterrey drums and banners. Truly like the FIFA World Cup, this is a prime opportunity for smaller teams to display their worth. The supporters will add value to that experience.
If ever you decide to go to any international competition, club or country, Euros or World Cup, go and be among the “smaller” teams. That is special. Football beauty lives everywhere but there’s a magic sauce with underdogs. Even if it’s two major clubs like Boca Juniors vs Bayern Munich, go sit with Boca fans. The spirit of Maradona will be felt, and I am not talking about drugs.
Given the context of ICE deportations. It was ironic for Trump to attend the Club World Cup final as the majority of fans are, arguably, immigrants. As a son of immigrants, soccer/football is alive in North America because of immigrants. They brought the game and passion into the promise land. Please, get off the stage.
Extracurricular
To keep an already long story somewhat brief, this is where I visited and ate while in Los Angeles.
To keep an already long story somewhat brief, this is where I visited and ate while in Los Angeles.
- The Comedy Store
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Saturday’s Football
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In-N-Out Burger (of course)
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Yama Sushi Marketplace
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Old Ferry Donut
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Stagger Coffee
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Original Tommy’s