Robert Lewandowski left FC Barcelona after last season to join Chicago Fire, where he has already found the net. He has scored twice in the league and once in the Leagues Cup, according to Spanish outlets covering his move.
After Lewandowski scored twice against Charlotte FC, Mundo Deportivo described his debut for Chicago as spectacular, noting that more than 32,000 fans attended and that the former Barcelona forward responded with two brilliant goals that opened the way for a Fire comeback. The outlet said his performance was helping Fire close the gap on the top three teams in the Eastern Conference.
Catalan outlet Sport said what Lewandowski is doing is incredible, adding that at 37 the Polish striker keeps proving he has a scoring instinct few can match and is already leaving his mark in the United States.
Barcelona searches for a striker
Barcelona has yet to replace Lewandowski, and speculation is growing that Ferran Torres could transfer to Paris Saint-Germain. Mundo Deportivo wrote that Hansi Flick desperately needs goals at Barcelona, noting that the club's first three matches, against Birmingham, Nottingham Forest and Udinese, two of which lasted only 45 minutes, exposed the shortage.
The outlet linked the goal drought to Lewandowski's departure, noting he averaged 30 goals a year across four seasons at Barcelona, and to Torres's possible exit, saying he has already told the club of his intention to leave for PSG. It said signing Julian Alvarez or a backup option was becoming urgent.
MVP display in Leagues Cup
Sport also highlighted Lewandowski's goal against Santos Laguna in the Leagues Cup, running the headline that he is rehabilitating himself away from Barcelona. It reported that Chicago Fire beat Santos 3-1 in a match counting as the second group-stage matchday, and that Lewandowski again played an important role, trying to add his own goal before the final whistle.
The outlet recalled that Lewandowski was decisive in the win over Charlotte FC, scoring twice and being named the match's MVP, and said he has settled in well in MLS, again proving his scoring instinct remains intact wherever he plays.
Lewandowski said after the Charlotte FC match that he needed some time to adapt, adding that he expected to improve each week during what is a preseason period for him. He said he felt very good physically in that match, knew he would need more time to build up his fitness, and was very happy.
Chicago Fire's next match is on Friday, August 14 at 3:00 a.m. Polish time, against Cruz Azul.
