Lewandowski scores and assists as Chicago Fire salvage a draw against Seattle
In matchday 21 of MLS, Chicago Fire and Seattle Sounders drew 2:2, with Robert Lewandowski scoring a goal and providing an assist to become one of the key figures of the match.
Polish forward Robert Lewandowski helped Chicago Fire earn a point away at Seattle Sounders on Saturday, August 29, in a match that finished 2:2. The game was part of matchday 21 of Major League Soccer (MLS).
Match course
The hosts took the lead as early as the 12th minute through Dejan Jovelić, a new Seattle signing who had joined the club only five days before the match. Chicago Fire equalised before half-time when Lewandowski skilfully controlled the ball with a defender close by and set up Maren Haile-Selassie, who finished precisely. It was Lewandowski's first assist for Chicago Fire since joining the club — previously he had only scored goals for the team.
Early in the second half, Jovelić completed a brace, putting Seattle back in front. Chicago Fire levelled the score again in the 82nd minute when Lewandowski headed home from a tight angle after a cross from Puso Dithejane. Shortly afterwards, the Polish forward had a chance to put his team ahead but, after combining with Jonathan Bamba, shot straight at the goalkeeper.
Context
Chicago Fire arrived at the match following elimination from the Leagues Cup, having lost to Mexican side Monterrey on August 26 in the quarterfinals. Seattle Sounders, meanwhile, had been one of the weakest teams in the Western Conference heading into the game, having collected just one point from their previous nine league matches; their last league win came on May 14 — a date, as noted by Przegląd Sportowy, before Lewandowski's departure from Barcelona had even been announced.
According to Przegląd Sportowy, the dropped points mean Chicago Fire risk losing third place in the Western Conference table to New England Revolution within the same round. Onet.pl also reports that before this match, Lewandowski's tally in the US league stood at four goals in ten appearances.
Chicago Fire will next play away against Toronto FC on September 6, before hosting Lionel Messi's Inter Miami at home on September 10.
