Chicago Fire FC and Major League Soccer today announced that forward Robert Lewandowski was voted the Major League Soccer Player of the Matchday for Matchday 19 of the 2026 MLS season.
Lewandowski scored the game-tying and game-winning goals for the Men in Red in his home debut against Charlotte FC (Watch Highlights From His Performance Here ). Lewandowski's two goals were his first in Major League Soccer and the 721st and 722nd goals of his club and international career. The Polish forward became the fourth player in Fire history to score multiple goals in his home debut, joining Frank Klopas in 1998, Andy Herron in 2008 and Tomasz Frankowski in 2008. The victory moved Chicago into fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings with 29 points (9-6-2) and have won five of their last seven regular-season home games.
After falling behind in the 18th minute, Lewandowski equalized two minutes later with his first MLS goal, cutting inside on his right foot and placing a perfect finish into the bottom corner (Watch Here). In the 68th minute, Lewandowski scored the game-winner after he received a pass from Robin Lod and fired a shot across his body for the 2-1 victory (Watch Here).
This is the first MLS Player of the Matchday honor for Lewandowski and he is the first Chicago player to earn the award since Tom Barlow on Matchday 18 of 2025. The last Polish international to be named MLS Player of the Matchday was Karol Świderski (Charlotte FC) on Matchday 32 of 2022.
Lewandowski and Chicago Fire FC next begin Phase One of Leagues Cup 2026 when they host Necaxa on Thursday, August 6 at SeatGeek Stadium (7:30 p.m. CT, MLS on Apple TV).
The MLS Player of the Matchday is selected each matchday of the regular season through both media and fan voting in a process conducted by MLS Communications. A panel of journalists from the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) comprises 75 percent of the vote, while an Instagram fan vote represents the remaining 25 percent of voting. NASR consists of members of print, television, radio, and online media.
2026 MLS Player of the Matchday Winners
Matchday * Player 8 * Club
Matchday 1 - Julian Hall, Red Bull New York
Matchday 2 - Lionel Messi, Inter Miami CF
Matchday 3 - Wiki Carmona, CF Montréal
Matchday 4 - Petar Musa, FC Dallas
Matchday 5 - Sam Surridge, Nashville SC
Matchday 6 - Denis Bouanga, LAFC
Matchday 7 - Rafael Navarro, Colorado Rapids
Matchday 8 - Lionel Messi, Inter Miami CF
Matchday 9 - Tai Baribo, D.C. United
Matchday 10 - Timo Werner, San Jose Earthquakes
Matchday 11 - Martín Ojeda, Orlando City SC
Matchday 12 - Hannes Wolf, New York City FC
Matchday 13 - Julian Hall, Red Bull New York
Matchday 14 - Hany Mukhtar, Nashville SC
Matchday 15 - Evander, FC Cincinnati
Matchday 16 and 17 - Luis Suárez, Inter Miami CF
Matchday 18 - Denis Bouanga, LAFC
Matchday 19 - Robert Lewandowski, Chicago Fire FC