Inter Miami wins without Messi as Griezmann and Lewandowski start to play
Major League Soccer returned from its six-week World Cup break on Wednesday night with a statement of intent for the tournament’s biggest names, and it was the 39-year-old Uruguayan, not the marquee Europeans making their debut, who stole the show.
Miami is marching without Messi
Inter Miami took care of business at Nu Stadium, beating Chicago Fire 3-2 in their return to action.
With Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul on long rests following Argentina’s run to the World Cup final, it was up to Luis Suarez to keep Miami’s momentum alive.
The veteran Uruguayan delivered, scoring two goals to send the Herons to their fifth straight win and put their season tally at eight goals.
Chicago opened the scoring with an own goal in the 18th minute before Suarez stepped up from the 28th to level, converting coolly after David Ruiz was brought down inside the box by Jack Elliott.
German Berterame put Miami ahead before the break, but Puso Dithejane came off the bench to equalize in the 67th minute with a superb strike from inside the area.
It looked like the score might be tied until home midfielder Preston Plambeck came through in the 87th minute to score his first MLS goal and send the Nu Stadium into rapture.
Miami are now five points clear of Nashville SC in the Supporters’ Shield race, with a Matchday 18 trip to CF Montreal coming up on Saturday.
Lewandowski’s start falls flat
It was an eventful night for Chicago despite the defeat, with popular Polish striker Robert Lewandowski making his much-anticipated MLS debut as a starter at Nu Stadium.
Having arrived in the United States about a week ago, the 37-year-old came off the bench at half-time and gave a glimpse of his level without being able to change the result.
Head coach Gregg Berhalter weighed in on his assessment of what to expect from Lewandowski in the coming weeks, lowering expectations while clarifying the impact to come.
“It was important for us to put him on the field today,” Berhalter said. “He’s only practiced for seven or eight days, so we expect him to do a lot as he continues to be healthy.
“Like any player you build, you get stronger, you find your strength, and then you get better. The time is different for every player. It’s not in the preseason right now, it’s in the middle of the season, and it’s something to think about.”
Griezmann left the area immediately
It’s hard to imagine Antoine Griezmann’s debut for Orlando City going any better than Wednesday night in California.
The 35-year-old Frenchman, signed from Atletico Madrid in March and top scorer with 211 goals in 488 games in his two spells in the Spanish capital, impressed the Orlando faithful as the Lions thrashed the San Jose Earthquakes 4-0 at PayPal Park.
Eduard Atuesta created the game with three assists, but it was Griezmann who provided the moment the crowd had been waiting for.
David Brekalo opened the scoring in the seventh minute with an unmarked header from Atuesta’s free kick. Ivan Angulo made it 2-0 in the 29th minute, firing a low shot past Angus Gunn with no pressure to speak of. Then, 48 minutes later, Griezmann got his turn.
Justin Ellis picked up a pass in the attacking third and found the Frenchman, who slipped past three defenders before firing a low shot at the near post.
Griezmann led the game in chances created with five, led Orlando in touches and passes, and lasted the full 90 minutes.
The result moves Orlando up to 10th place in the Eastern Conference, just two points behind DC United in the final play-off spot.
