MIAMI, Fla. — The Robert Lewandowski era in Chicago has started, but it started without any fireworks.
The Chicago Fire returned from the World Cup break with a loss, falling 3-2 to Inter Miami despite scoring first. Their newest star was, admittedly, a non-factor for most of the match.
Lewandowski slotted straight into the Fire's lineup; with a full week to prepare, the 37-year-old had enough time to get fit enough to feature for at least 45 minutes. In doing so, he became the second-oldest debutant in the Fire's history, and the fifth-oldest player ever to feature for the club in MLS. Also of note, Maren Haile-Selassie started as a nominal second striker; even without Hugo Cuypers, Gregg Berhalter continued with the 4-4-2/4-2-4 shape that he had been trialing in the spring to accommodate the potential of two strikers.
Although Miami sit just above the Fire in second place, it was the visitors who got off to the better start. They came roaring out of the gates in front of a half-empty Nu Stadium, and Jonathan Bamba even found the net for a goal that was quickly ruled offside. However, in the 18th minute, they found the breakthrough anyway: a routine Ian Fray backpass rolled straight under the foot of surprise starter Rocco Ríos Novo, and into his own net.
While Lewandowski clearly had an air of confidence about him, his impact was very limited. Given the unfavorable playing conditions (around 91°F/33°C), he faded quickly. The Fire's first half lead lasted just nine minutes, as a lazy Jack Elliott tackle handed Luis Suárez a spot kick to tie the game. It is the third straight season in which Suárez has scored against the Fire.
Both goalkeepers made one big save before the end of the half. Sergio Reguilón got in behind the Fire's defense after a bursting run off of the left, but Chris Brady made an excellent save; at the other end, Anton Salétros had a chance to score from inside the six-yard box, but he headed it directly into the hands of Ríos Novo.
At halftime, Berhalter made what seemed like a fairly obvious adjustment, switching to a 3-5-2. Haile-Selassie acted as a right wingback out of possession, freeing up Andrew Gutman to be a bit more adventurous. Unfortunately, an excellent Miami sequence to start the second half was poorly dealt with by the Fire's back line, and Suárez scored again to make it 2-1.
Lewandowski's debut came to an end in the 63rd minute – which is probably 18 minutes longer than most thought it would go. He was withdrawn alongside Phillip Zinckernagel and Djé D'Avilla as part of a triple sub that saw Puso Dithejane, Robin Lod, and Mauricio Pineda enter. Even if the night's main attraction did not leave a mark on the game, one of the replacements did.
A few minutes after coming on, Dithejane found the equalizer, smashing the ball in from the edge of the box. It was assisted by Haile-Selassie, who was one of the night's main protagonists (as he so often is against Miami) even if he won't get the credit for it on the scoresheet.
However, the hosts came out on top in a war of attrition under the Florida heat. The Fire, visibly exhausted throughout the whole second half, failed to clear yet another scramble in the box, and homegrown Preston Plambeck capitalized for his first MLS goal in just his fifth appearance.
The loss brings the Fire's three-game winning run to an end, albeit after a two-month pause. Miami's lead over them was extended to eight points, meaning that it's hard to imagine Berhalter's team climbing any higher than 3rd for the next month or so.
