Robert Lewandowski scores twice as Chicago Fire beat Charlotte FC 2-1 in MLS home debut

Home debut after false start

Robert Lewandowski's first two appearances for Chicago Fire ended without a goal or a point. His debut, originally scheduled earlier, was postponed because of heavy air pollution from Canadian wildfires. When he finally took the field, Fire lost 3-2 away to Inter Miami and then 3-1 at New York City FC. In those matches, Lewandowski played 63 minutes and then came on at halftime, managing three shots and an expected goals figure of 0.52. Saturday's visit from Charlotte FC was his first chance to play at Soldier Field, and although the stadium was not sold out, it was filled with fans in Polish colours and shirts bearing his name.

The match

Charlotte struck first in the 18th minute when Spanish winger Pep Biel cut inside, exchanged passes with Idan Toklomati, and beat goalkeeper Chris Brady from a tight angle. The lead lasted barely two minutes. A long ball into the box was headed down by Philip Zinckernagel, and Lewandowski met it with a low, precise right-footed shot from just outside the area that beat Kristijan Kahlina at the near post. The Polish striker then decided the contest in the 68th minute, latching onto a through ball from Robin Lod, holding off a defender, and finishing calmly one-on-one. He played the full 90 minutes, received a yellow card for handball shortly before the final whistle, and was immediately named Player of the Match. After the game he embraced head coach Gregg Berhalter, who was celebrating his 53rd birthday.

Reactions and accolades

The club's official X account summed up the evening with a pun on his name. The Associated Press noted that he had scored twice in his home debut and led Fire to victory. The MLS website called him a Polish legend and said he had ignited the fire. Statistical site Sofascore gave him a rating of 9.6 out of 10, highlighting that he won 8 of 12 duels, 3 of 4 aerial battles, and averaged a goal every 98.5 minutes in his first three MLS outings.

“Hey, that's why they call him Robert LewanGOALski!”

“Lewandowski scored two goals in his home debut and led the Fire to victory over Charlotte FC.”

“Robert Lewandowski ignites the fire. The Polish legend scored his first two MLS goals in a 2-1 win over Charlotte FC.”

Standings and scoring race

The win, Chicago's ninth of the season, lifted them to fourth in the Eastern Conference with 29 points from 17 matches, one point behind the New England Revolution. Nashville SC leads the conference with 40 points, followed by Inter Miami on 38. Lewandowski's brace puts him on two goals for the campaign, tied for 96th in the league scoring chart. The top three spots are shared by Petar Musa, Hugo Cuypers and Nicolas Fernandez on 13 goals each, while Lionel Messi sits fourth with 12.

Petar Musa13

Hugo Cuypers13

Nicolas Fernandez13

Lionel Messi12

Kevin Denkey11

Tai Baribo11

Martin Ojeda11

Sam Surridge11

Marcus Ingvartsen11

Preston Judd11

Petar Musa

13 goals

Hugo Cuypers

13 goals

Nicolas Fernandez

13 goals

Lionel Messi

12 goals

Kevin Denkey

11 goals

Tai Baribo

11 goals

Martin Ojeda

11 goals

Sam Surridge

11 goals

Marcus Ingvartsen

11 goals

Preston Judd

11 goals

Data from the article text

What's next

Chicago Fire have 11 regular-season matches remaining before the playoffs. Their next MLS fixture is at home to Portland Timbers on 16 August, though one report listed 17 August. Before that, they will play three Leagues Cup matches, including a meeting with Mexican club Nexaca.