The only amateur side in the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup, Auckland City would appear to be the odd ones out at the tournament. But as goalkeeper Conor Tracey told ESPN, the club are serving a much larger purpose: representing the majority of footballers around the world.
One thing that needs to be established early -- and a hurdle that has already encountered numerous times by Auckland City's players and staff this week -- is that they are not Auckland FC.
New Zealand is unable to support its own fully professional league, which means Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC play in the Australian-based A-League Men.