Suárez Spoils Lewandowski’s MLS Debut as Inter Miami Edge Chicago 3-2
Robert Lewandowski finally made his Major League Soccer debut on Wednesday night. Luis Suárez made sure the headlines still belonged to Inter Miami.
In a chaotic 3-2 victory at Nu Stadium, the 39-year-old Uruguayan scored twice and helped set up the late winner as Miami — missing Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul — extended their winning streak to five games and spoiled the Polish striker’s first appearance in a Chicago Fire shirt.
nter Miami CF vs. Chicago Fire FC
A Nightmare Start
The night began in disastrous fashion for the hosts. In the 18th minute, Ian Fray played a routine back-pass toward goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo. With Lewandowski pressing, Ríos Novo completely missed the ball, watching it roll under his feet and into the net for an own goal. Chicago led 1-0 in the most embarrassing possible way.
Miami, still shaking off the rust after the World Cup break, needed a response. They got it from the most reliable source available.
El Pistolero Takes Over
Nine minutes later, David Ruiz was fouled in the box. Suárez stepped up, sent Chris Brady the wrong way, and smashed the penalty inside the left post to make it 1-1. The equalizer came on his 100th appearance for Inter Miami.
The second half belonged to Suárez and Germán Berterame. In the 51st minute the pair combined beautifully. Berterame received the ball on the right side of the area and produced a sublime backheel that put Suárez clean through. The veteran finished calmly into the far corner for 2-1 — his eighth goal of the season.
Lewandowski’s Quiet Debut
Lewandowski, who had been largely contained, was withdrawn in the 62nd minute after 62 minutes of limited impact. Chicago responded almost immediately. Substitute Puso Dithejane scored his first MLS goal in the 67th minute to make it 2-2.
After the match, Lewandowski admitted: “After just two days with my teammates I didn’t think everything would go so well in my first game because playing a game is different than training. Of course I need more time.”
The Academy Hero
With the game heading toward a draw, Miami’s academy product Preston Plambeck entered in the 69th minute. Eighteen minutes later he became the unlikely match-winner.
Suárez again linked with Berterame and forced a sharp save from Brady. The rebound fell perfectly for the 20-year-old Plambeck, who contorted his body and steered the ball home for his first career MLS goal in the 87th minute.
Nu Stadium erupted. Miami had stolen all three points.
After the Final Whistle
Suárez was later named MLS Player of the Matchday. After the game he spoke with characteristic honesty:
“Despite my age, I still have the ambition to keep playing soccer. It’s my passion I’ve had since I was a kid. I’ve had to earn everything since I was a kid. I’ll keep giving it my all.”
Inter Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos went even further, placing Suárez in the same category as Messi: “Like our No. 10, these are players who mark a difference… I am not sure these players will be replaced in the future.”
On the sidelines, newly signed Casemiro watched alongside co-owner Jorge Mas. When the Brazilian midfielder eventually joins Messi, De Paul and Suárez on the field, Miami’s already dangerous attack will become even more formidable.
For one night, though, the story belonged to the old gunslinger and a 20-year-old academy graduate. El Pistolero is still firing.