Rarely one to let the script writers down, Bastian Schweinsteiger made an immediate impact in his debut for the Chicago Fire. His headed goal and late assist were not enough to secure a win, however.
Image: Getty Images/D. Buell
Advertisement
Bastian Schweinsteiger's first Major League Soccer game ended in a 2-2 draw with the Montreal Impact on Saturday evening.
The veteran Germany international opened the scoring after just 17 minutes wearing yet another red jersey - that of the Chicago Fire. Late in the game, he rescued a draw for the Chicago Fire, who played much of the second period with just 10 men after Juninho received his marching orders.
Schweinsteiger netted with a header from the back post, rising to meet a cross from the right flank and powering the ball home - delighting his new employers.
Schweinsteiger has a habit of scoring at timely moments, a trait he's seemingly transported across the AtlanticImage: Getty Images/D. Buell
Just over 15,000 spectators turned out for the German's debut at the Toyota Park, but would have been disappointed to see the Impact recover and take a 2-1 lead against Chicago's 10 remaining men. Schweinsteiger was again involved in salvaging a tie, picking out striker Luis Solignac with a lofted pass. Solignac took a touch to control and then blasted in the equalizer.
Schweini kept busy throughout the match, although his lack of recent game time did seem to impact his mobility somewhatImage: Getty Images/D. Buell
The 32-year-old had a strong game in attack and defense alike, even rolling back the years and showing off his dribbling skills near the corner flag at one point.
Schweinsteiger moved to MLSas it became apparent he was surplus to requirements at Manchester United under Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese manager, who even sent Schweini to train with United's under-23s at one point, has since said it may have been a mistake not to give the midfield playmaker more minutes, acknowledging that he would have been a useful addition to the squad late in the season.
Prior to his 2014 move to the English Premiership, Bavarian Schweinsteiger spent more than a decade with Bayern Munich, winning an array of silverware including the Champions League. Now retired from the German national team, after 121 caps and 24 goals, Schweinsteiger was part of 2014's World Cup-winning squad.
Go West - German football exports to North America
Thomas Müller is reportedly set to join a long line of German soccer stars who have pursued the American Dream. We take a look at some of the biggest names to ply their trade stateside.
Image: Jessica Alcheh/Imagn Images/IMAGO
Marco Reus, Los Angeles Galaxy
The Borussia Dortmund legend left the Bundesliga side in 2024 and signed for the LA Galaxy. Reus' timing couldn't have been better. He played 11 games in his first season, but helped the Galaxy secure their first MLS Cup in a decade. It was also the first league title of Reus' career. At 36, Reus is expected to retire at the end of the current season.
Image: Kiyoshi Mio/IMAGO
Birgit Prinz, Carolina Courage
One of the greatest players to have ever played, Prinz made a bold move to join the Carolina Courage in 2002. At the time, the Courage were part of the WUSA, the world's first women's soccer league where women were paid as pros. After winning the WUSA championship and the MVP, Prinz returned to Germany to play for another eight years, scoring and winning at will.
Image: Icon SMI/IMAGO
Franz Beckenbauer, New York Cosmos
"Der Kaiser" left Bayern Munich for the New York Cosmos in 1977 as one of a number of star signings that included Pele. In four seasons in New York, Beckenbauer won the NASL title three times before returning to Germany. After two years with Hamburg, he was persuaded to return to New York and enjoyed a final swansong with the Cosmos.
Image: picture alliance/dpa
Bastian Schweinstieger, Chicago Fire
The Bayern Munich legend followed his former Germany teammate, Arne Friedrich in joining Chicago Fire. Five years after Friedrich, Schweinsteiger made the move in 2017, and even scored on his debut. He helped the Fire return to the playoffs after five years away, opening the door for one more year before he retired in 2019, having played nearly 100 games for the MLS team.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/T. Shen
Inka Grings, Chicago Red Stars
Grings, a two-time Euros winner and a three time German footballer of the Year, also made the stop in Chicago, joining the Chicago Red Stars in 2013 in time for the inaugural NWSL season. Grings (right) had a decent season, although the Red Stars missed out on a playoff spot. She returned to Germany and played for Cologne for one season before retiring in 2014.
Image: Peter Aiken/USA TODAY Network/IMAGO
Gerd Müller, Fort Lauderdale Strikers
Beckenbauer was joined in the NASL by former Bayern and Germany teammate Gerd Müller. The Bundesliga's all-time record goal scorer moved to Fort Lauderdale Strikers in 1979 and kept up his incredible strike rate. In his three seasons in Florida, Müller scored 38 goals in 71 appearances.
Image: picture-alliance/S. Simon
Dzsenifer Marozsan, OL Reign
Dzsenifer Marozsan is a six-time Champions League winner with OL Lyon, one of the biggest clubs in women's football. But in 2021, she spent six months on loan at Lyon's American franchise, OL Reign. Joining forces with US star Megan Rapinoe, Marozsan helped the Reign to the NWSL playoff semifinals.
Image: Dantey Buitureida/Sports Press Photo/IMAGO
Lothar Matthäus, MetroStars
Another World Cup winner, this time of the 1990 vintage, became the first German to move to the nascent MLS in 2000. The MetroStars, who were based in Harrison, New Jersey, were the last port of call in Lothar Matthäus' storied playing career. Although he helped the side to the 2000 playoffs in his single campaign, he played only 16 games and his tenure there was seen as a disappointment.
Image: Lutz Bongarts/Bongarts/Getty Images
Nadine Angerer, Portland Thorns
Nadine Angerer has played all over the world, but is probably best known for being a key player in Germany's remarkable run which saw them win five Euros and two World Cups. In 2014, she joined Portland Thorns in the NWSL, keeping a clean sheet on her debut. They made the playoffs, but lost in the semifinals and the following year Angerer was playing in Australia.
Image: ZUMA Wire/IMAGO
Almut Schult, Kansas City Current
After a curious stint at Angel City FC that saw her only play one game, Almut Schult finished her career after playing six months in goal for the Kansas City Current. They finished fourth, but lost in the playoffs. Schult, a Champions League winner, retired soon after and is also remembered for being a fierce advocate for women's right after returning to play following becoming a mother.
Image: Daniel Bartel/Imagn Images/IMAGO
Torsten Frings, Toronto FC
Former Bremen and Bayern midfielder Torsten Frings (left) spent the twilight of his career in the MLS with Toronto FC. Frings joined the Reds in 2011, but a recurring hip injury forced him to hang up his boots midway through his second year at the club. He came face to face with former Bremen teammate Frank Rost in 2011. The keeper had signed for the New York Red Bulls, but only played 11 games.
Image: Icon SMI/IMAGO
Ann-Katrin Berger, Gotham FC
Ann-Katrin Berger has played at some of the biggest clubs in the world. The German No. 1 now plays for Gotham FC. She has twice overcome cancer, and was one of Germany's star players at Euro 2025. This will come as no surprise to NWSL fans, given that Berger was named the goalkeeper of the year in 2024.
