We waited and waited and saw Robert Lewandowski make his Major League Soccer debut. Punctually. The match between Inter Miami and Chicago Fire started at 1.40 am Polish time. Theoretically it should have started at 1:30, but this is the USA, not Europe. No one is rushing anyone here, no one is sticking to the script.
And so it began. Let’s put it this way: the match itself was at a good level, but it certainly wasn’t Lewandowski’s spectacular performance.
If anyone shined, it was Luis Suarez. He scored the first goal from the penalty spot, but the second came after a fantastic move and, above all, an assist from the German Berterama. The hosts seemed to have sorted it out, despite conceding a goal in the 18th minute. And under strange circumstances, Jan Frey gave the ball to his goalkeeper, who missed and the score became 0-1. Suarez turned the situation around 180 degrees, and in the second half Chicago Fire equalized the score, but the locals had the last word.
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After the first half, Lewandowski must have realized that he was not in an outstanding team. At times it might seem like there was no one to play football with. He has one blocked shot, one good cross (which, we add, was spectacularly missed by Jonathan Bamba) and one spectacular start to a counterattack, which, however, was spoiled by his teammate. What was most pleasing was the way he sent the ball between Sergio Reguilon’s legs early in the match.
The Pole was replaced in the 63rd minute. Apparently, he didn’t have enough strength for more.
And a moment after he left, the equalizing goal was scored. Puso Ditezhane equalized the score with a precise shot to the post. It looked like a fairly fair 2-2 draw, but Inter Miami pulled off another great performance at the end. Suarez’s shot (center) was saved by Chris Brady, but he was helpless before Preston Plumbeck’s shot.
Let’s say another small interesting fact – Lewandowski did not attract crowds in the stands. This isn’t Chicago though. There were plenty of empty seats, and fans were not tempted to buy tickets even for nine dollars. The absence of Lionel Messi, who is on holiday, has had an impact.
Inter Miami – Chicago Fire 3:2 (1:1)
0:1 Ian Frey (s.) 18′
1:1 Luis Suarez (c.) 27′
2:1 Luis Suarez 51′
2:2 Puso Ditejane 67′
3:2 Preston Plumbeck 87′
Compositions:
Inter Miami: Rocco Rios Novo – Facundo Mura, Ian Frey (Noah Allen, 85), Mikael, Sergio Reguilon – David Ruiz (Preston Plambeck, 69), Yannick Bright, Telasco Segovia – Mateo Silvetti (Daniel Pinter, 74), German Berterame, Luis Suarez.
Chicago Fire: Chris Brady – Jonathan Dean, Joel Waterman, Jack Elliott, Andrew Gutman (89′ Viktor Radojevic) – Philip Zinkernagel (63′ Puso Ditejane), Anton Saletros, Jae D’Avilla (63′ Mauricio Pineda), Jonathan Bamba – Robert Lewandowski (63′), Yalasson Robin Laud (88′ Shokaluk).
Yellow cards: Reguilon (Inter Miami) and Oraz Elliott (Chicago Fire).
Judge: Rubiel Vasquez (USA).