Club World Cup XI: MLS teams need results, Real Madrid underwhelm, Botafogo stun PSG - key observations from first week of CWC

It has always made sense, in some way, for the best teams in the world to play each other in some sort of organized competition. There is heritage here, too. The Intercontinental Cup brought about some famous fixtures, and was dominated by South American sides in the 1980s.

That spirit has survived to an extent, and has already been clear at this year's CWC. South American teams are undefeated at the tournament thus far - with Palmeiras and Boca Juniors both feeling as they should have beaten Champions League caliber opposition.

Flamengo, meanwhile, dispatched ES Tunis with ease thanks to Giorgian de Arrascaeta's star showing. The fixtures get trickier from here, but deep runs are certainly on the cards.

What were reasonable expectations for MLS clubs heading into this thing? Some told GOAL that they expect to get out of their groups. Seattle Sounders suggested that they are just happy to be here. Well, so far, they've won just one of four. Miami grabbed the sole victory, albeit it an impressive one, with a Lionel Messi free-kick sealing three vital points against Porto.

But performances have been pretty encouraging. Miami really should have won the group by now, having hit the post twice late against Al Ahly (more on them later.) Seattle Sounders gave Botafogo a good game, and a more attacking setup from the opening whistle would have gotten them at least a point.

LAFC turned in a good performance against Chelsea - and will certainly have hope heading into their clash with ES Tunis, especially if Denis Bouanga wakes up. All three will need to avoid losing from here on out to get out of their group. There's always hope.

What did you want? A fully functioning 3-4-2-1 with meticulous build up, a fearsome press, and a line so high even Hansi Flick's Barcelona would be terrified? Of course, Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid are going to need time to settle into things. Even long time goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois admitted that they still play a bit like a Caerlo Ancelotti team. Old habits die hard, it seems.

But Los Blancos were pretty poor against Al Hilal. "Trent" - as he has now been rebranded due to the famous Spanish difficulty of double-barrel last names - had a tough debut. Vinicius Jr needed treatment on his back before the game and didn't look himself.

Jude Bellingham berated a linesman for no apparent reason. Take all of that into consideration, and a 1-1 draw isn't the worst thing. But this is Madrid, and results count. It seems that a bit of process-trusting is necessary in the meantime.

FIFA emphatically claimed that they had reached 1.5 million ticket sales for the Club World Cup, with buyers from 130 different countries purchasing a spot to see this thing play out in the United States. And, well, that runs counter to the eye test. At least at some matches.

While the Rose Bowl and Hard Rock Stadium both drew big crowds for the big teams, elsewhere, things have been pretty sparse. It is entirely possible, of course, that prospective ticket buyers have seen the quality of football on display will be motivated once games start to mean more. Until then, what the eyes can see and what FIFA claim are in contrast.

Estevao said the pitch was too dry. Then it was too wet. Niko Kovac made a similar complaint about the turf when Fluminense played Borussia Dortmund on Monday afternoon. The cameras may have been high up and far away, but the playing surface for Madrid-Al-Hilal looked miserable - crippling under the Miami heat.

It is tempting, and this point, to break out the world's smallest violin. These are professionals, after all. Deal with it. But it's also important to remember that this is elite sport, and that requires elite surfaces. These guys are used to it. This is a conversation that will not go away. Remember, these are almost exclusively NFL fields being adapted and used for soccer. In poor weather, these pitches can degrade. Here's hoping for better.

Well, one thing is for certain here: teams want to win. It's not just the South America-Europe rivalry. No one is pulling out of tackles, avoiding their 50-50s, or refusing to celebrate a goal. Even Bayern Munich put their foot on the gas against a semi-pro team in Auckland City.

There was a fear that these would basically be preseason friendlies played out in searing heat. So far, that isn't the case. Need proper evidence? Well, this one Japanese fan traveled 6,000 miles to root against Urawa Reds, his rival team. That's hater energy at its very best.

You've got to feel for Auckland City. Of course they want to play in this tournament. They are a semi-professional club, being offered the opportunity of a lifetime to play against Bayern Munich. No one is going to turn that down. And of course they got beaten - 10-0, in fact.

The reaction has been scathing, in some quarters. Critics were always going to try to punch holes in a 32-team tournament, and that is very much allowed. But some have been very angry at Auckland City's inclusion (it matters little, apparently, that they have played in 13 Club World Cups over the years).

It's harsh on the New Zealand club, who really are just happy to be here.

Europe and South America were theoretically the two confederations to watch. They are, of course, the hotbeds of talent in world football, and the pinnacle of the sport. But a word must be spared for African sides, who, to date, have given an excellent account of themselves.

Al Ahly, in fact, should be absolutely kicking themselves for not battering Inter Miami. They missed two terrific chances from open play within the first 30 minutes of the tournament opener, and had a penalty saved shortly before half time. The Egyptian stalwarts will now have to do it against Porto and Palmeiras, but they look like a proper team, and have every chance of making it out of group A.

This shouldn't come as an immense surprise to anyone who watched the Champions League final, but PSG are very good at football. They tore a disciplined Inter to shreds, and were good value for their 5-0 win that day. And they did a remarkably similar to thing to a younger and more expansive Atletico Madrid side in a 4-0 win on the opening weekend of the CWC.

That all went out the window in a packed Rose Bowl on Thursday night, however, when PSG were stunned, 1-0, by Botafogo. In a battle of the most recent winners of the UEFA Champions League and the CONMEBOL Libertadores, South America shone brightest.

PSG largely dominated proceedings, but without their injured star striker Ousmane Dembele, they couldn't finish chances - when they had them. The Fogão hounded the French side throughout the match, staying composed in the back and limiting spaces toward the opposition.

The CWC finally got it's explosive moment. PSG would still seem to be favorites, but suddenly it's not quite so clear.

Well, that was underwhelming. Three USMNT-ers are missing the Gold Cup campaign in order to play in te Club World Cup, and exactly zero have impressed. Weston McKennie got booked within four minutes for Juventus, and played the rest of the game like a man desperate not to get a second yellow. Tim Weah didn't start.

Gio Reyna never moved off the bench, and looks destined for a move away from Dortmund (seriously, why was he even in the squad for this thing?) All three may yet have a role to play. There is a lot of football left here. But the early signs aren't great for the guys playing - or not playing, in some cases - on home soil.

After one matchday, you can say, with complete confidence, that two teams have booked their spots in the next round: PSG and Bayern Munich. Outside of that, who knows? Man City got their result, but were far from impressive. Dortmund drew. Chelsea didn't exactly blow anyone's socks off. River Plate looked mightily uncomfortable at times in victory.

But that's the point. This competition wouldn't be any good if it immediately dealt in absolutes. There's supposed to be tension, jeopardy, and reason for excitement. Well, here you have it. No, it may not be the flashiest, and yes, it's just the first week, but no one really knows what happens next. Enjoy it, yeah?