Chicago Fire vs Vancouver Whitecaps Postponed as Hazardous Air Quality Delays Robert Lewandowski's MLS Debut

Robert Lewandowski will have to wait a little longer for his long-awaited MLS debut after Thursday night's clash between Chicago Fire and Vancouver Whitecaps was postponed due to hazardous air quality in Chicago.

Smoke from Canadian wildfires pushed the city's Air Quality Index into the "Hazardous" category, forcing local authorities to shut public beaches and swimming pools while cancelling all outdoor activities that could not be relocated indoors. MLS subsequently decided to postpone the fixture at Soldier Field.

The match was set to mark Lewandowski's first MLS appearance following his summer move from Barcelona. The Polish striker was expected to face Western Conference leaders Vancouver, who are captained by his former Bayern Munich teammate Thomas Müller.

There was also an intriguing family storyline, with Chicago head coach Gregg Berhalter preparing to face his son, Sebastian Berhalter, the Vancouver midfielder and U.S. international.

MLS has yet to confirm a new date for the fixture, although reports suggest the game could be rescheduled for early October.

The postponement is an untimely setback for the league, which had hoped to build momentum after the World Cup break with a packed slate of marquee fixtures scheduled for Thursday and Friday.