Chicago Fire fans chant for Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski became the focal point of the crowd at Chicago Fire's match against New York Red Bulls after the Polish striker was not named in the starting line-up. Supporters made their feelings clear, with disappointment evident inside the stadium.

Fans react to Lewandowski's absence

The expectation around Lewandowski's involvement was a major part of the occasion, and his omission from the opening XI quickly shaped the mood among home supporters. Rather than the planned build-up to the match, attention shifted to the absence of the forward from the starting team.

At one stage, more than 20,000 spectators were reported to have chanted Lewandowski's name. It was a striking response and underlined how central he was to the interest surrounding the fixture.

A different story from the one anticipated

The plan for the evening was clearly not for the crowd reaction to become one of the main talking points. Yet that is what happened once it became clear Lewandowski would not begin the game from the start.

For Chicago Fire, the match against New York Red Bulls was supposed to follow a more conventional script. Instead, the supporters' disappointment and the chants for Lewandowski became the defining image described in the aftermath.

Lewandowski remains the main attraction

The episode was another reminder of Lewandowski's pulling power. Even before he stepped into the spotlight on the pitch, he had already become the central figure in the stadium.

• Robert Lewandowski was not in Chicago Fire's starting line-up.
• Chicago Fire were facing New York Red Bulls.
• More than 20,000 fans chanted Lewandowski's name.
• Supporters did not hide their disappointment.

That reaction said plenty about the level of anticipation attached to the striker. On a night when the original plan changed, the crowd ensured Lewandowski remained at the heart of the story.