Whitecaps-Fire match postponed due to poor air quality

Thursday's match between the Vancouver Whitecaps and host Chicago Fire has been postponed until Oct. 6 due to unsafe air quality conditions caused by wildfire smoke affecting Chicago and much of the Great Lakes region.

The match was scheduled to take place at Soldier Field, but local officials determined that the conditions were too dangerous for players and fans to attend the outdoor event.

The fixture is the only scheduled meeting between the Whitecaps and Fire this season. The rescheduled date falls during a bye week for both teams, as Vancouver and Chicago are not scheduled to play between Sept. 26 and Oct. 10.

"We share our fans' disappointment, especially given the excitement surrounding our first match back following the FIFA World Cup break and the anticipation of welcoming more than 40,000 fans to Soldier Field," Chicago president of business operations Dave Baldwin said.

"While we know this decision is disappointing, health and safety must come first. We appreciate our fans' understanding and look forward to welcoming them back soon," Baldwin added.

The postponement extends the Major League Soccer (MLS) break for the two clubs following the FIFA World Cup. Both the Whitecaps and Fire last played their regular-season matches on May 23.

Vancouver will return to action on July 22 with an away match against FC Cincinnati, while Chicago will visit Inter Miami on the same day.

-Field Level Media/Reuters