Robert Lewandowski's eagerly anticipated Major League Soccer debut has been postponed after Thursday's match between the Chicago Fire and Vancouver Whitecaps was called off due to poor air quality caused by wildfire smoke.
Smoke from wildfires burning across Canada's Ontario province drifted into parts of the United States, with border states including Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota experiencing hazardous air conditions.
The fixture at Chicago's Soldier Field has been rescheduled for October 6, with the club confirming the decision was made after consultations with local health officials, Major League Soccer, Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the City of Chicago.
"The decision to reschedule the match was reached in close consultation with local health experts, MLS, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and the City of Chicago," the Fire said in a statement.
Around 40,000 supporters had been expected to attend the match, which formed part of the MLS restart following the league's World Cup break.
Lewandowski, who joined the Chicago Fire from Barcelona after helping the Spanish club win the La Liga title last season, had been set to make his MLS debut in a fixture that would also have reunited him with former Bayern Munich teammate Thomas Müller.
