Lewandowski bezradny! Piękny gol marny – koniec marzeń Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire’s Winning Streak Ends in a Tie Against New York Red Bulls
Quick Summary: Chicago Fire played a road game against the New York Red Bulls. Their coach rested star player Robert Lewandowski to keep him fresh for a huge tournament game on Wednesday. The Fire took the lead with a beautiful goal, but the Red Bulls tied it up late in the game. The Fire’s 6-game winning streak is over, but they still gained ground in the playoff race because their rivals lost.
Before the Match: Resting Stars for a Bigger Game
Chicago Fire came into this match with two main goals:
- Keep the winning streak alive (they had won 6 games in a row).
- Get through the game healthy because they have a massive Quarterfinal match in the Leagues Cup tournament against CF Monterrey on Wednesday.
Because the Wednesday game is so important, Coach Gregg Berhalter decided to "rest" (sit out) his biggest superstar, Robert Lewandowski. Lewandowski started the game on the bench to save his energy.
Important Point: In soccer, coaches often "rotate" players—resting stars during less critical league games so they are 100% ready for knockout tournaments where losing means going home.
First Half: Fire Take the Lead
With Lewandowski resting, midfielder Robin Lod started the game. He had the first big chance in the 30th minute but couldn’t put the ball in the net.
Just 8 minutes later, Maren Haile-Selassie made no mistake.
The Goal (38th Minute)
- The Setup: The ball found Haile-Selassie about 15 meters (roughly 16 yards) from goal.
- The Finish: He struck a perfect shot right into the top corner of the net—giving the goalkeeper zero chance.
- Score: Chicago Fire 1 – 0 New York Red Bulls.
Other First Half Notes:
- The Red Bulls (the home team) only managed one shot on target all half. Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady saved it easily.
- Julian Zakrzewski-Hall (a player with Polish roots) played on the left wing for the Fire. He drew a foul that earned Red Bulls player Leonardo Barroso the game’s first yellow card (a warning).
Second Half: Lewandowski Enters, But Red Bulls Strike Back
The second half started with a huge missed chance for the Fire. Jonathan Bamba had a golden opportunity to make it 2-0 but shot straight at the goalkeeper. In soccer, missed chances often come back to haunt you.
65th Minute: The Crowd Gets Their Wish
Polish fans packed the Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. They had been chanting "Robert Lewandowski!" all game. Finally, in the 65th minute, he checked in as a substitute. The stadium erupted.
85th Minute: The Equalizer
With about 20 minutes left after Lewandowski entered, the Red Bulls found the tying goal:
- Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (a former Bayern Munich teammate of Lewandowski!) got the ball on the left wing.
- He whipped a perfect cross into the center of the penalty box.
- Cameron Harper rose above everyone and headed the ball into the net.
Final Score: Chicago Fire 1 – 1 New York Red Bulls.
What This Means for the Standings
Even though the 6-game winning streak is over, there is a silver lining.
| Team | Result | Points Change |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Fire | Tie (1 Point) | +1 Point |
| Inter Miami (Rivals, 2nd Place) | Loss (0 Points) vs Toronto FC | 0 Points |
Because Inter Miami (Lionel Messi’s team) lost 1-2 at home to Toronto FC, the Fire actually gained 1 point on the 2nd place team in the Eastern Conference despite not winning.
What’s Next: The Big One (Leagues Cup Quarterfinal)
All eyes now turn to Wednesday.
- Opponent: CF Monterrey (A powerhouse team from Mexico).
- Round: Leagues Cup Quarterfinal (Win = Semifinals, Lose = Go Home).
- Time: 2:30 AM Polish Time (Night from Tuesday to Wednesday).
- Stakes: A spot in the Semifinals of a major international tournament.
Key Takeaway: Coach Berhalter’s gamble to rest Lewandowski didn’t result in a win, but it kept the star fresh for the most important game of the season so far. Wednesday is "do or die."
Summary
- Chicago Fire tied 1-1 with New York Red Bulls.
- Maren Haile-Selassie scored a world-class goal for the Fire.
- Robert Lewandowski was rested for the first 65 minutes, then played the final 25+ minutes.
- Cameron Harper scored a late header for the Red Bulls to tie the game.
- The Fire’s 6-game winning streak ended.
- Good news: They gained 1 point on 2nd place Inter Miami (who lost).
- Huge Game Wednesday: Leagues Cup Quarterfinal vs CF Monterrey at 2:30 AM.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. Why didn’t Robert Lewandowski start the game?
Coach Gregg Berhalter rested him on purpose. The team has a must-win tournament quarterfinal against CF Monterrey on Wednesday. Lewandowski is the team’s most important player, so the coach wanted him 100% fresh and injury-free for that game.
2. Who scored the goals?
- Chicago Fire: Maren Haile-Selassie (38th minute, amazing long-range shot).
- New York Red Bulls: Cameron Harper (85th minute, header off a cross from Choupo-Moting).
3. What is the Leagues Cup?
It is a tournament between teams from Major League Soccer (USA/Canada) and Liga MX (Mexico). It happens during the regular season. Winning it qualifies a team for the CONCACAF Champions Cup (the biggest club tournament in North/Central America).
4. Did the tie hurt Chicago Fire’s playoff chances?
Surprisingly, no. Even though they didn’t win, their main rival for 2nd place (Inter Miami) lost their game. So the Fire actually closed the gap by 1 point in the standings.
5. When is the next game and can I watch it?
The next game is Wednesday (Tuesday night/Wednesday morning) at 2:30 AM Polish Time vs CF Monterrey. It is a Quarterfinal—if they lose, they are eliminated. Check local listings or MLS Season Pass / Apple TV for broadcast details.