The sun was setting over the Joaquim Grava training center by the time a few dozen visitors wandered out for a glimpse of their new home.
For 51 weeks of the year, this slice of east Sao Paulo belongs to Corinthians, one of Brazilian soccer’s most storied clubs. On Wednesday evening, however, the locals overlooking these practice fields were treated to some new neighbors.
The Los Angeles Chargers touched down in Brazil around 9am and a few hours later they kickstarted preparations for this week’s showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs.
It was only a light workout and, before long, darkness had enveloped this corner of Sao Paulo. It was as if a cloak had been thrown over the outskirts of the city.
But Jim Harbaugh’s players were out there long enough to realize how far they have travelled from their ‘Bolt’ base in El Segundo.
Rising into the skies behind the practice field? A favela and a few of the towering apartment blocks that make up this concrete jungle of 22million people.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice in Sao Paulo ahead of their showdown against the Chiefs
The NFL rivals will clash in a Week 1 blockbuster in the Brazilian concrete jungle of Sao Paulo
The game will take place at Neo Química Arena, the home of the Corinthians soccer team
Hordes of Brazilian journalists turned up to catch a few minutes of practice. They jostled for a good view with Corinthians midfielder, Raniele. Only one observer was given a wide berth: the police dog on patrol near the sideline.
This is the NFL’s second foray into South America. Last year, the build up to the Eagles’ win over the Packers was dominated by players expressing concern for their safety.
Darius Slay said he didn’t want to go to Brazil. AJ Brown vowed not to leave his hotel room. Earlier this year, Chiefs star Travis Kelce moaned about the heat and humidity before changing his tune.
On Wednesday night, Harbaugh and his players could hardly have struck a more different tone.
‘First, I’d like to just say just how excited we are to be here,’ the coach began. ‘The hospitality has been amazing… everywhere we’ve gone, we’ve been made to feel welcome and that motivates us.
‘Even on top of the game, which is so big – the opener for us and our season, playing the Kansas City Chiefs… we know that we’re on a world stage, the only game that’s going to be played on Friday night, to a worldwide audience, and to the country of Brazil and the city of Sao Paulo. We’re going to give our very, very best.’
The head coach isn’t bothered by the fact that one of the Chargers’ precious home games is taking place more than 6,000 miles from SoFi Stadium.
‘I was excited about it, especially South America. I’ve been to Piura, Peru many times,’ said Harbaugh, who makes regular missionary trips to the country. He gave a shoutout to his friends over there and said he hopes the NFL will one day take football across South America.
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said his team were ‘excited’ at the chance to play in Brazil
Los Angeles is training at the home of storied Brazilian soccer club, Corinthians
‘To be in this game, the second game of the NFL season, a Friday-night game, a big stage. There’s an honor to be selected to play in this game. And that really overshoots the home game aspect of it,’ he said.
‘At its core, this is a big game to us. This is huge. You want to start off your season on the right foot… we’ve been working very, very hard for this game and we’re ready to have that pay-off with a great performance on Friday night.’
The Chargers have been plotting this trip to Brazil since February. They began sending supplies down towards South America in May. They did everything possible to replicate a normal week for their players by the time they touched down.
But as Harbaugh told a packed press conference on Wednesday, even the best-laid plans can go out the window against the Kansas City Chiefs.
On Friday night, these divisional rivals meet in a blockbuster Week 1 clash at Neo Química Arena. It is the first of seven international games this season.
For the Chargers, this will be a stiff early test of their ambitions and, for the Chiefs, it represents a first chance to right the wrongs of last season’s Super Bowl humiliation against the Eagles.
Harbaugh has had months to prepare for this season opener and yet he knows there is no way to cover all bases against Andy Reid, Kelce, Patrick Mahomes and Co.
‘We’re expecting them to be ready,’ he said. Harbaugh is also anticipating some surprises. ‘So (it’s about) being aware of that, embracing that.’
They face a stiff test of their Super Bowl ambitions vs. Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Co
‘There will there’ll be some improvising and adjusting. So just (being) ready, willing and able to adjust is another thing you have to expect when you play an Andy Reid-coached team.’
The Chargers have failed to win any of their past seven games against Kansas City. Should they end that skid on Friday, though, the omens aren’t bad. As they were reminded time and again on Wednesday evening, the Eagles beat the Packers here last year and went on to win the Super Bowl.
‘I’m hoping (that continues),’ quarterback Justin Herbert said. ‘That’s the great part about playing… we’re able to go to different countries and pass on the game of football.’
Herbert added: ‘We’ve got great respect for the Chiefs as opponents and to be able to share this opportunity with them, we’re really excited.’
