Robert Lewandowski could debut as Fire host Whitecaps

The Vancouver Whitecaps visit the Chicago Fire on Thursday when the MLS regular season resumes play, and what was already an intriguing matchup between two of the league's top teams now carries the possibility of Robert Lewandowski's MLS debut.

Lewandowski signed a Designated Player contract with the Fire at the end of June and could see some on-field action as soon as Thursday. With the Fire (8-4-2, 26 points) already sitting in third place in the Eastern Conference, the team could emerge as full-fledged MLS Cup contenders with the two-time Best FIFA Men's Player winner in the fold.

The 37-year-old Polish International comes to Chicago after finishing a four-season stint with Barcelona. The European side won three LaLiga championships during his tenure.

"I saw that already the team developed a lot the last months if you compare this season and the last season," Lewandowski said during a Tuesday press conference.

"I've seen they're doing a great job, and I hope I help my teammates, my new colleagues, to play better (and) to win more games. ... And always when I'm starting to play at a new club, always in front of me is to win some titles."

Lewandowski and Hugo Cuypers might already be the league's most dangerous striker pairing. Cuypers leads MLS with 13 goals this season.

The Fire and Whitecaps are playing their first regular-season match since May 23, as MLS was on hiatus due to the FIFA World Cup.

Vancouver got a chance to shake off some rust in the quarterfinals of the Canadian Championship. The Whitecaps advanced in the tournament with a 5-2 aggregate win over Calvary FC in matches played on July 8 and 13.

"I think the physical state of the team looks very good," Whitecaps coach Jesper Sorensen said Monday. "A lot of players have played a lot of minutes in these two games, and we've seen that they've been capable of doing so. ... We got tested very, very well before going into (MLS play)."

The Whitecaps (10-2-2, 32 points) are in first place in the Western Conference, and one point behind Nashville SC in the Supporters' Shield standings. Vancouver's plus-22 goal differential is the best in MLS.

Ryan Gauld is expected to make his regular-season debut on Thursday after recovering from offseason surgery on his left knee. Ralph Priso likely won't play, as Sorensen said the midfielder is still dealing with a lingering left hamstring injury.

--Field Level Media