Robert Lewandowski benched in MLS debut as Chicago Fire falters

Robert Lewandowski began his Chicago Fire debut against New York City FC on the bench, entering the match in the 46th minute. Journalist Mateusz Borek explained that the player struggled to adjust to the non‑standard dimensions of Yankee Stadium, a baseball venue with a shorter and narrower field, describing the situation as "comical."

The Polish striker’s lack of impact has sparked criticism of Chicago Fire’s tactics. Analyst Katarzyna Przepiórka noted that recent losses to Inter Miami (2‑3) and New York City FC (1‑3) highlight a mismatched playing style, with the team still adapting to Lewandowski’s role and lacking a suitable offensive partner. She suggested a tactical shift is needed for the club to improve its performance in MLS.