\n
CHICAGO (AP) \u2014 Robert Lewandowski is on the verge of joining Major League Soccer and looks forward to providing a big boost for the Chicago Fire.<\/p>\n
The 37-year-old, who signed a two-year deal with the Fire, knew he did not want to remain in Europe when his contract with Barcelona expired in May.<\/p>\n
“I couldn’t imagine joining any club other than Barcelona, \u200b\u200bso I knew the next step would be outside of Europe and of course it wouldn’t be easy to move from Europe to the United States, but I’m very excited,” Lewandowski said at his induction press conference at the club’s training facility on Tuesday. “Of course our lives are changing, but it’s a new experience.”<\/p>\n
Lewandowski played 192 games for Barcelona and scored 119 goals. He helped Barcelona win three La Liga titles in four seasons. Including this year<\/span>won one title in Spain’s national competition, the Copa del Rey. <\/p>\nLewandowski also played a record 167 international games for Poland, starting with his debut goal against San Marino in 2008 at the age of 20. Lewandowski is Poland’s all-time leading scorer with 89 goals.<\/p>\n
Lewandowski is a designated player, one of three roster spots available for MLS teams to exceed the salary cap. The Fire plans to open a soccer-only stadium, McDonald Park, in 2028.<\/p>\n
“I feel I have the potential to win titles with my new club,” Lewandowski said. “I’m very happy because this is a new step in my career and a new step in my life. We are in a good position now, but of course we have to start working hard and I hope that after this season we can enjoy a lot of what we have achieved.”<\/p>\n
Adding a player with Lewandowski’s resume was a no-brainer for Fire coach Gregg Berhalter. <\/p>\n
The team sits in third place in the Eastern Conference as the league prepares to restart after this week’s World Cup suspension. The Fire face the Vancouver Whitecaps on Thursday night, and Lewandowski could make his club debut then.<\/p>\n
“This is a huge deal for our football club,” Berhalter said. “We are excited to welcome Robert to the club and look forward to seeing how he can change the culture.”<\/p>\n
“We have a good team right now, and I think Robert will be able to lead us to the top.”<\/p>\n
Lewandowski is expected to form a striking partnership with Hugo Kuipers, the league’s top scorer with 13 goals.<\/p>\n
“It’s not very common to play with two strikers now, but we’ve been working hard on what the situation is going to be around the penalty box, what the combinations are going to be, what impact two strikers will have on the final line, and we’ve got some really good data points,” Berhalter said. <\/p>\n
“We’ve been scoring goals lately and really pulling away from the final line. I see no reason why we can’t continue that with Hugo and Robert on the field together.”<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
AP Soccer: https:\/\/apnews.com\/soccer<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
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