Robert Lewandowski strikes twice for Chicago Fire in MLS win over Charlotte
Robert Lewandowski scored twice on his home debut for the Chicago Fire, helping the club to a 2-1 win over Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer on Saturday. The result was Chicago's first MLS win since the international break and closes the gap to the Eastern Conference's top three, while Charlotte suffered its fourth defeat in five away matches.
Charlotte took an early lead through Pep Biel in the 18th minute, but Lewandowski, signed as a free agent in late June, equalised just two minutes later with his first goal for the Fire. He struck again in the 68th minute to complete the turnaround, finishing off a Robin Lod assist. Elsewhere, Lionel Messi returned from injury for Inter Miami in a 2-2 draw with Columbus Crew, while DC United fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Eastern Conference leaders Nashville SC.
- Lewandowski scores twice as Chicago Fire beat Charlotte 2-1
- Messi returns for Inter Miami in 2-2 draw with Columbus
- DC United draw 2-2 with leaders Nashville after late comeback
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Robert Lewandowski is a veteran Polish striker, widely regarded as one of the best goalscorers of his generation after years at Bayern Munich and Barcelona. He joined the Chicago Fire as a free agent in late June, moving into Major League Soccer, the top professional football league in the United States and Canada.
The Fire and Charlotte FC are both MLS clubs competing in the league's Eastern Conference, where teams are ranked on results throughout the season to determine playoff qualification. MLS matches typically draw attention when established international stars, such as Lewandowski or Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, are involved, as their performances can shape both a club's form and the league's wider profile.