Chicago: Wildfire smoke postpones MLS match and Lewandowski’s debut
A significant Major League Soccer (MLS) match between the Chicago Fire and Vancouver Whitecaps, which was set to feature Robert Lewandowski‘s league debut, has been postponed. The decision was made due to poor air quality in Chicago, caused by wildfire smoke originating from Canada. The game, initially scheduled for Thursday night at Soldier Field, will now take place on October 6.
The air quality in Chicago has reached hazardous levels, prompting the city to close public beaches and pools. The Chicago Park District also cancelled all outdoor activities that could not be moved indoors. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency declared an Air Pollution Action Day for Chicago and Northern Illinois, advising individuals to limit prolonged outdoor activity and take more frequent breaks.
Impact on MLS and other sports
The postponement of the Chicago Fire versus Vancouver Whitecaps match is not an isolated incident. Wildfire smoke has been affecting various sporting events across North America. An MLB game between the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies saw its start time adjusted due to similar air quality concerns. The first pitch for that game was moved to 6:10 p.m. ET from its original 7:10 p.m. slot.
This marks the second time a game in Philadelphia has been impacted by wildfire smoke. In June 2023, a matchup between the Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Phillies was postponed due to poor air quality linked to Canadian wildfires. Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper commented on the conditions during the recent game, stating, “It’s definitely different. Not the greatest idea, I guess, to come out here and play in this type of weather, but we’re doing it.”
Beyond baseball, women’s soccer events have also faced challenges. Trinity Rodman, a member of the United States women’s national team, spoke about the difficult conditions during an NWSL match between Washington Spirit and Gotham FC at Citi Field. The game, which saw over 42,000 fans, required repeated hydration breaks as temperatures rose into the 90s.
Rodman expressed her concerns about playing under such circumstances, stating, “If we have to have a hydration break every 15 minutes, then we shouldn’t be playing the game, and that’s my opinion.” She acknowledged the significance of the event, which set a record for the largest crowd at a women’s sporting event in New York City, but highlighted the difficulties for athletes. “Air quality was rough,” Rodman added, noting that both teams felt the impact of the conditions.
Details of the postponed MLS match
The postponed Chicago Fire match was anticipated to be a significant event for several reasons. It was set to be the MLS debut for Robert Lewandowski, who joined the Fire from Barcelona this summer. He was introduced earlier this week as MLS resumed play following its World Cup break. The Fire were scheduled to host the top team in the Western Conference, which includes Lewandowski‘s former Bayern Munich teammate, Thomas Müller.
The game also held personal significance for the Berhalter family. Gregg Berhalter, the coach of the Chicago Fire, was slated to face his son, Sebastian Berhalter, a key player for the Whitecaps, a U.S. World Cup midfielder, and an MLS All-Star. This family reunion on the field will now have to wait until October.
The postponement comes at an unfortunate time for MLS, which aimed to capitalize on the global soccer attention generated by the World Cup in North America. The league had scheduled several marquee games for Thursday and Friday, following the World Cup semifinals but before Sunday’s final. Other matches scheduled for Thursday included CF Montréal vs. Toronto FC, St. Louis City vs. Sporting Kansas City, and the Seattle Sounders vs. Portland Timbers.
The smoke-filled skies across parts of the Great Lakes region and the East Coast have reduced visibility and prompted warnings about dangerous outdoor air quality. Officials in several cities have urged residents to stay indoors or wear masks when outside, as air quality levels have reached unhealthy to hazardous categories. The National Weather Service explained that a lingering high-pressure system has trapped the smoke near the surface, exacerbating the conditions. The Chicago Fire versus Vancouver Whitecaps match is now scheduled for October 6.
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Source: marca.com
