LAFC and Christian Pulisic: The atmosphere matters

Christian Pulisic heralded the atmosphere during Borussia Dortmund’s international friendly with LAFC on Tuesday night. It may sound cheesy, but that stuff matters.

Los Angeles FC are taking MLS by storm. Very much akin to Atlanta United and their barnstorming first season chocked full of free-flowing football, a raucous atmosphere, a progressive, commercialised, but fan-first club, a truly culture-changing organisation in the city of Atlanta and the state of MLS, LAFC have blown the doors of what is expected from an inaugural franchise.

And they have done so in the most wonderful way.

Obviously, the funds for a new stadium, the investment in one of the most experienced MLS coaches, the ability to attract some of the best Designated Players that the league may have ever seen, all help. But credit where credit is due.

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And for the club, it all came to fruition on a Tuesday night in a meaningless match, perhaps the most unlikely setting for such a realisation to come. And yet, as Aaron Kovar’s 77th-minute strike lifted the roof of the stadium, it was clear that such a seemingly disinteresting match would not deter this club from celebration.

It was an atmosphere that took USMNT star Christian Pulisic by surprise also. Returning in glory with his Borussia Dortmund teammates, Pulisic, when asked about the fervour in the ground when Kovar’s opening goal hit the back of the net, was stunned:

"“I actually wasn’t even out on the bench at that time, but I heard it through the whole stadium <…> That atmosphere here was unbelievable. It was awesome to see in America, especially. I used to play youth national team camps here and now that they have another team here, it’s awesome. I’ve always known that the soccer culture around this area in L.A. has always been really good.”"

And this may seem like really airy-fairy stuff. This talk of ‘atmosphere’. It never really has a real impact on the game, though, does it? But, actually, it does matter. First and foremost, it provides a positive feeling around the club. That helps shirt sales, commercial revenues, maximising TV rights and all these other streams of income that will then be re-invested into the club, both the facilities surrounding it and the talent between the white lines.

(Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP/Getty Images) /

But there is more to it than just putting money in the wallets. Players are affected by the atmosphere in which they play. There is a reason that most teams will do better at home than on the road. Yes, there is the travel. Yes, there is the greater acclimatisation with the home surroundings, the stadium, the dressing room, even the pitch, its size, feel and speed. But there is also a mental aspect that goes on, and it goes both ways.

A positive feeling can really spur on the home side. Alternatively, a nervousness, a tension, some unrest or criticism or booing and negative chanting can unsettle a team, especially when it is coming from tens of thousands of extremely passionate individuals. The exact opposite influence can be enacted on the away side also. People will often talk about ‘quietening the crowd’. This is what they mean. Changing the atmosphere so that it aids your team.

And Pulisic himself confirmed as much after his first visit to LAFC, ‘Right away I kind of knew it wasn’t for us.’ That feeling is what the atmosphere is all about. LAFC are harnessing it, exploiting, thriving off it. There are a great many other MLS clubs that learn a lesson or two.

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The Banc of California stadium is quickly becoming a fiery fortress. And that matters.

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