Robert Lewandowski Struggles in MLS With Worst Goal Drought Since 2011
Robert Lewandowski faces a scheduling conflict and a seven-match goal drought following his transfer to Chicago Fire, with the situation described as slipping out of control. Przegląd Sportowy Onet reported that the Polish national team captain has gone seven consecutive matches without finding the net, marking his longest scoring drought since 2011.
The Chicago Fire Scheduling Conflict
The forward’s move to Major League Soccer created an immediate calendar clash with upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures. Poland faces Romania on November 14 and Sweden three days later. Meanwhile, the MLS playoffs begin on November 18, with Chicago Fire already securing their postseason berth. North American league organizers do not pause competition for international windows, forcing Lewandowski to choose between missing team training sessions across multiple time zones or skipping his national team’s matches.
Saudi Clubs Shift Focus to Younger Players
Piotr Koźmiński of Goal.pl stated in a discussion on Przegląd Sportowy Onet’s “Misji Sport” that Lewandowski’s entourage expected Saudi Arabian clubs to remain an option. Saudi leadership altered their recruitment strategy to target younger players ahead of upcoming global tournaments. Koźmiński noted that a move to Saudi Arabia was the primary objective for late-career earnings in a closer time zone, while Chicago served as a secondary or tertiary backup plan.
Piotr Koźmiński stated that one thing had slipped out of Robert Lewandowski’s entourage’s control, as they had been certain the Saudis would always be an option. However, Saudi Arabia altered their strategy, aiming for a different model to sustain their league ahead of the World Cup, targeting younger players.
Lewandowski Struggles with Physical Duels in America
Maciej Terlecki pointed to the physical challenges of the American league during the same discussion, observing that the forward is losing a higher volume of physical duels and individual battles. Alongside physical demands, the transfer’s marketing reception in the United States remains muted, compounded by a tournament format featuring a regular season followed by playoffs, with matches broadcasting during European overnight hours.
Maciej Terlecki noted that while aging players often lose speed first, Robert Lewandowski was immediately losing more duels and physical confrontations.
Managing the Transition Out of Europe
Sebastian Parfjanowicz of Przegląd Sportowy Onet revealed that discussions occurred prior to the move regarding lowering expectations. Representatives attempted to prepare the public for a transition into a less demanding football environment. Anna Lewandowska did not support leaving Barcelona and maintains an interest in returning to Catalonia in the future, whereas the player expressed that he could not imagine representing another European club.
Sebastian Parfjanowicz revealed that he had spoken with Robert Lewandowski’s entourage before the transfer, who expressed a desire to help both the player and others adjust to the notion that it was a less intense level of football.