Chicago Fire beat Whitecaps 3-1 in Lewandowski-Müller reunion, climb to fourth in the East

The Chicago Fire took down Western Conference leader Vancouver 3-1 at Soldier Field on Tuesday night, Oct. 6. Jonathan Bamba, Philip Zinckernagel and Maren Haile-Selassie scored for Chicago, which jumped past Charlotte FC into fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 45 points. Vancouver stays first in the West with 50.

The game was a makeup of a Matchday 16 fixture that had been postponed because of wildfires, and it finally brought together Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Müller, who spent eight seasons as teammates at Bayern Munich. Neither started: Müller came on for Vancouver at halftime and Lewandowski entered for Chicago in the 76th minute.

How the goals came

Bamba opened the scoring early, cutting in from the left and bending a shot from outside the box into the far corner. It was the designated player's first goal since March 21. Zinckernagel, who had missed a penalty in the first half, made it 2-0 five minutes after the break by finishing a one-two with Haile-Selassie.

Vancouver pulled one back in the 73rd minute when center back Mathías Laborda headed in a Larraz corner. The Fire put the game away two minutes from time: Lewandowski broke in behind the defense on the right and, instead of shooting, squared the ball to an unmarked Haile-Selassie at the back post for an easy finish.

Why the win matters for Chicago

The top four teams in each conference host the first round of the playoffs, and the Fire (13-8-6) now hold that last home spot, one point behind Inter Miami and New England, who both have 46. Charlotte sits two points back with 43. It was Chicago's second straight win after a 1-0 result at Charlotte on Sept. 26, which had ended a winless run.

Goalkeeper Josh Cohen earned his second straight win while filling in for Chris Brady, who was with the U.S. national team. Several other Chicago regulars were also away on international duty, according to the club. Haile-Selassie's goal was his 22nd for the Fire, tying him for 10th on the club's all-time scoring list.

Where Vancouver stands

The loss cut Vancouver's lead at the top of the Western Conference to three points over St. Louis CITY SC and FC Dallas, both on 47. The Whitecaps (15-7-5) have won once in their last three league games: a 3-0 win at Real Salt Lake, a 3-3 home draw with D.C. United and Tuesday's defeat. They should get several regulars back from international duty this weekend, according to The Associated Press.

What's next

Chicago stays home on Saturday, Oct. 10, to face New York City FC at 2:30 p.m. ET. Vancouver visits LAFC the same night at BMO Stadium, with kickoff at 10:30 p.m. ET.