Lewandowski makes his Chicago Fire debut, but Suarez leads Miami to win without Messi
Robert Lewandowski’s delayed MLS debut took place in Miami, but it didn't go well.
Despite featuring the Polish superstar in the starting lineup on Wednesday, the Chicago Fire dropped its first game since the World Cup break, 3-2 at Inter Miami. Lewandowski played 63 minutes but mismatched the expectations with only one shot attempt and few touches in the opposition box.
Lewandowski said he knew he wouldn’t play the whole game due to the weather and admitted he needed more time to be ready after landing in Chicago last week.
“I try to do my best (before) gonna be changed,” he said. “It was tough during the game, especially for us … in the end we have to go looking forward to keep working.”
Following Lewandowski’s arrival, the Fire’s top forward, Hugo Cuypers, requested a transfer, and the team immediately sold the leading Golden Boot leader (13 goals) to Liga MX club CF Monterrey for a $7.5 million fee plus $500,000 in add-ons, though the Fire planned to pair him with Lewandowski up front.
In response, Fire coach Gregg Berhalter placed Jonathan Bamba and Phillip Zinckernagel on both wings in a 4-4-2 formation.
“We just continued on what we’ve been doing,” Berhalter said. “There was a number of different formation changes based on how we thought we could be most successful, and we knew a 4-4-2 would give us some pros with how we push their fullbacks high and how they load the line.”
However, the Fire couldn’t finish chances despite having Lewandowski. The team registered seven shot attempts and two on target during the first half, while Miami had eight shots.
Chicago took the first lead thanks to a mistake by Inter Miami. Defender Ian Fray passed back to Rocco Ríos Novo, but the Miami goalkeeper miskicked and saw the ball roll into the net, giving the Fire a 1-0 lead at 18 minutes.
Giving Lionel Messi a break after a busy World Cup, Inter Miami featured Luis Suarez to lead the offense, and he leveled the score at 1-1 by converting a penalty kick.
Before halftime, Zinckernagel created a chance for the Fire, but Anton Saletros’ header flew right to Ríos Novo.
Miami took a 2-1 lead in the 51st minute when Suárez scored via a one-two play with Germán Berterame.
Lewandowski’s MLS debut wrapped up at the 63rd minute after the Fire switched gears with three substitutions. One of those players off the bench made an impact. The Fire tied it 2-2 by Puso Dithejane, who buried the equalizer for his first MLS goal.
“Robert was a planned sub,” Berhalter said. “The changes came in and made an impact and gave us some power.”
But Inter Miami responded as the match approached stoppage time. Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady blocked the first attempt from Suárez but gave up a rebound to Preston Plambeck. Chicago had a series of golden chances during extra time but couldn’t manage any, swallowing its third season loss.
The Fire will continue its road trip when it meets New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on Saturday.