Robert Lewandowski did not score in his MLS debut on Wednesday, or even face off with Lionel Messi, but he did play a part in one of the wildest goals of the season.
It took 17 and a half minutes for disaster to strike for Inter Miami, which took the field against Lewandowski’s Chicago Fire without their Argentinian superstar. A pass back from defender Ian Fray to goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo turned into a howler of an own goal.
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It was an ill-advised pass from Fray with Lewandowski already in the penalty area and Ríos Novo whiffed on the ball while appearing distracted by the approaching striker.
Making that goal especially bad for Ríos Novo is that this was his first playing time since March 14. Miami opted to start him against Chicago over usual starter Dayne St. Clair, who had posted some rough performances before the break. But nothing like that.
It was one of the worst possible ways to resume a season while missing Messi and his Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul, but Luis Suárez helped erase it with goals in the 27th and 51st minute.
Chicago’s Puso Dithejane later scored to tie the game, which set up Preston Plambeck to play the hero in the 87th minute of a 3-2 Miami win.
The match was Inter Miami’s first since May 24 and the result keeps them second in the Eastern Conference at 10-4-2 (34 points). Nashville is the only club ahead of them at 12-3-1.
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