MLS: Lewandowski scores twice, but Chicago Fire lose 4-3 to Columbus Crew

Robert Lewandowski scored two goals in the final match of the Major League Soccer regular season, but his Chicago Fire lost 4-3 at home to Columbus Crew. The visitors' winner came in stoppage time from substitute Brais Mendez.

Two penalties from the Pole

Lewandowski opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 8th minute. According to the Sportowe Fakty report, he used a two-step run-up and sent goalkeeper Patrick Schulte the wrong way. For his second penalty, in the 22nd minute, he struck the ball on the first step. The goalkeeper guessed the direction but could not save it.

The Pole could have completed a hat-trick before half-time. In the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time he hit the post, and Maren Haile-Selassie converted the rebound to make it 3-2. Lewandowski had broken his run a few days earlier against Colorado Rapids, so in Chicago he scored in a second match in a row.

The hosts could not hold on to the lead

Chicago Fire led three times: 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2. Columbus replied with goals from Gonzalo Tapia in the 16th and 62nd minutes and from Anass Zaroury in the 23rd. The goal for 2-2 came almost immediately after the restart from the centre circle. Tapia's equaliser for 3-3 came after a pass behind the defence.

After that the match calmed down, and a draw seemed to suit both sides. In the third minute of stoppage time Chicago's defenders made a mistake in their own penalty area, and Mendez gave Columbus the win. According to the author of the report, the victory secures the visitors a place in the play-offs.

Chicago in the play-offs despite the defeat

The result did not change Chicago Fire's situation. Charlotte FC drew 3-3 with Inter Miami at the same time, so Gregg Berhalter's side finished the regular season fourth in the Eastern Conference. They will have home advantage in the first round of the play-offs.

Final score: Chicago Fire 3-4 Columbus Crew (3-2 at half-time). Goals for the hosts: Lewandowski (8' and 22', both penalties) and Haile-Selassie (45+4'). For the visitors: Tapia (16' and 62'), Zaroury (23') and Mendez (90+3').