“You know, I have a lot of respect for Inter Miami,” Berhalter said in response to Bolavip during his Monday press conference. “They have a great squad, they’ll most likely be missing a couple players in (Lionel) Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, although you never know with Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, I wouldn’t be surprised if they somehow played in the game.“

Messi and De Paul are among the Argentine players who didn’t fly back to Buenos Aires after the World Cup final, in which a 10-man Albiceleste side lost to Spain 1-0 in extra time.

However, neither of them is expected to return to club action soon. Messi will reportedly travel to his native Rosario to rest and spend time with his family after a grueling World Cup run, whereas De Paul’s immediate plans remain unknown.

Lewandowski expected to make MLS debut with Chicago in Miami

Despite Berhalter’s cautious approach, Messi and De Paul are most likely to miss Inter Miami’s first games after the World Cup. Meanwhile, Lewandowski is expected to make his MLS debut for Chicago in Miami.

“We’ll see on Wednesday how long he can play,” Berhalter said of the Pole superstar, who arrived in the Windy City as a free agent after his contract with FC Barcelona expired.

Asked by Bolavip if Lewandowski’s arrival puts Chicago on the same level or at least closer to the defending MLS Cup champions, Berhalter said Wednesday’s game could be a good measuring stick, even if Messi and De Paul don’t play.

“Well, we’re going to see on Wednesday night where we are, right?” Berhalter said. “But for us, we just want to keep getting better. One thing I can tell you about Robert is, (he has a) tremendous work rate. When you think about a guy coming into the team who was jet lagged all last week, and he’s pushing the guys in training. We’re doing fitness stuff, he’s pushing that, he’s doing extra work.

“So you can see why he’s been a pro, and you can see why he’s scored more goals than anyone in Europe in the last 15 years, because he’s an absolute pro on the field and in the training sessions. He’s been high quality, scoring goals, and he looks like a great player.”

Kickoff between Inter Miami (9-4-2, second in the East with 31 points in 15 games) and Chicago Fire (8-2-4, third with 26 points in 14 games) is set for Wednesday, July 22, at 7:30 PM (ET) at Nu Stadium in Miami.

With confirmation of the Fire and Whitecaps’ game suspension, the question around whether Lewandowski would play for Chicago today has been answered. Unfortunately, it’s the worst possible answer. Not only will Lewandowski not play, but the match won’t even be held at Soldier Field, where the Fire are set to play until their new home, McDonald’s Park, opens in 2028.

The league was counting on this match going ahead, as it was one of the marquee fixtures scheduled to resume the 2026 MLS season before the World Cup came to an end. Lewandowski was set to face former Bayern Munich teammate Thomas Muller.

Moreover, Fire head coach Gregg Berhalter was set to take on Vancouver, where his son and USMNT World Cup representative, Sebastian Berhalter, plays. There was plenty on the line, but because of an external factor, the match has been called off until further notice.

Lewandowski has new date for MLS debut

With the Fire’s game against the Whitecaps pushed back to Oct. 8, Lewandowski will have more time to settle into life in Chicago and now has a new date for his MLS debut. Most likely, Lewandowski will don the Men in Red’s colors for the first time on July 22, when Chicago travels to Florida to take on Inter Miami at Nu Stadium.

Lewandowski won’t meet Lionel Messi, however, as the Argentine will play in the 2026 World Cup final on July 19 before heading into a well-deserved break and eventually returning to club action.

Why was the game suspended?

According to the BBC, there are more than 800 active wildfires in Canada, many of which are sending smoke deep into the U.S. Midwest and severely affecting air quality. The orange haze knows little of passports or border controls, but it has disrupted life in both countries. In a cruel twist of irony, the Fire’s match against a Canadian team has been postponed because of wildfires in Canada.

According to The New York Times, Chicago’s Air Quality Index has reached the two worst categories: Very Unhealthy and Hazardous. As the fires continue to spread uncontrollably, the city has closed public beaches and pools while also canceling all outdoor activities that cannot be held in an enclosed, controlled environment.

Chicago Fire’s match against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Soldier Field falls squarely into that category, and not even the arrival of one of the greatest strikers in soccer history, Robert Lewandowski, changes what comes first: the health and safety of the players, fans, and stadium staff.

Lewandowski was expected to make his MLS debut for the Chicago Fire today, after completing his high-profile transfer as a free agent after playing for FC Barcelona. But the Chicago Fire vs Vancouver Whitecaps match has been postponed due to unsafe air quality in Chicago, postponing Lewandowski’s first game in the Windy City. The Chicago Fire later announced that the game has been rescheduled for Tuesday, October 6.

Lewandowski, who sat out the 2026 World Cup, has utilized the break to settle in with Chicago and prepare for the next chapter of his storied career. He arrives in MLS looking to make an immediate impact and challenge fellow global icon Lionel Messi, who recently sent waves through the soccer world with a post-match message following Argentina’s dramatic semifinal victory over England in the World Cup.

Following months of intense transfer rumors linking him to various clubs worldwide, Lewandowski ultimately chose the United States. In doing so, he follows in the footsteps of European legends like David Beckham and Thierry Henry, who made the leap across the Atlantic after conquering Europe.

Lewandowski vs. Muller: Familiar foes reconnect

If both are fit on October 6, former Bayern Munich teammates Lewandowski and Thomas Muller would go head-to-head on opposite sides of the pitch.

The two forwards spent eight highly successful seasons together in Germany, sharing the pitch 333 times while claiming eight Bundesliga titles and lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy in 2020. Tonight, that storied partnership is put on hold as they battle for three crucial points.

“I think it’s no secret that we’ve been in communication with Robert,” Berhalter responded to Bolavip during his media availability after Chicago’s 2-0 road win over CF Montreal on Saturday.

“We think he’s a fantastic player. We think that they would be a great, a top pairing in this league. So you never know. I think there’s a lot still to be done, but we admire Robert, and we think he’s a fantastic player, one of the best strikers ever.“

Lewandowski confirms Barcelona exit

On Saturday, Lewandowski confirmed through a lengthy message on social media that he’s leaving Barcelona this summer.

“After four years full of challenges and hard work, it’s time to move on. I leave with the feeling that the mission is complete. 4 seasons, 3 championships. I will never forget the love I received from the fans from my very first days. Catalonia is my place on earth,” Lewandowski wrote.

“Thank you to everyone I met along the way during these beautiful four years. A special thank you to President Laporta for giving me the chance to live the most incredible chapter of my career. Barça is back where it belongs. Visca el Barça. Visca Catalunya.”

Set to turn 38 in August, Lewandowski will not play in the FIFA World Cup this summer as Poland failed to qualify for the tournament. But after more than a decade at the highest level of European soccer (Borussia Dortmund from 2010-14, Bayern Munich 2014-22, Barcelona 2022-26), he looks ready to start a new chapter elsewhere.

Chicago had been mentioned as a potential suitor for Lewy once his deal expired, and Berhalter had no problem in confirming that the interest is real.

Cuypers in excellent form for Chicago

The team is already in a great situation with Cuypers in amazing form, as the Belgian striker extended his scoring streak to 10 games by netting Chicago’s second goal in Montreal on Saturday.

Cuypers, 29, is currently leading MLS with 13 goals, boasting two more than Inter Miami star Lionel Messi and FC Dallas’ Petar Musa. Needless to say, an attacking duo of Cuypers-Lewandowski would give a massive boost to Chicago’s aspirations.

“Well, I’m sure he’s getting a lot of advice from his father (former USMNT manager Bob Bradley), and he’s got some great pedigree,” Berhalter said during his Thursday media availability.

“He probably doesn’t need my advice, but, you know, coaching is a journey, and he’s a smart guy, and for him, it’s just a continual journey to keep learning and keep improving.

“And if you could do that as a human being, as a coach, I think you’ll position yourself well. But it’s been fun watching him, really the first of this generation to get an opportunity to be a head coach in MLS, and it’s really nice to see,” Berhalter added.

When Bradley impressed Berhalter on the USMNT

Bradley was only 18 when he met Berhalter for the first time. Just a month before the 2006 World Cup, Bradley was invited to the USMNT training camp as the senior roster prepared for the big tournament in Germany.

Eventually, Berhalter went on to coach the US national team and in 2018-2019 overlapped with Bradley, who captained the Stars and Stripes in 48 of his 151 international caps.

“I remember the 2006 World Cup, he was joining the team to train with us before we left for Germany, and I sat next to him at one dinner and I remember just talking to him and hearing from him and, at that time, he was wise beyond his years,” Berhalter said in 2023 when Bradley announced his retirement from soccer.

Bradley still taking first steps as a coach

After hanging up his boots, Bradley served as an assistant to his father Bob at Stabæk Fotbal. His first head coaching came with the New York Red Bulls II, leading them to their first-ever MLS Next Pro championship in 2025.

That earned him a promotion to the MLS team after a tough year in which it missed the playoffs. The NYRB are still a work in progress under Bradley, sitting 11th in the Eastern Conference with 12 points in 11 games.

Berhalter, on the other hand, is looking to build on Chicago’s playoff run from last year as his side sits fourth in the East with 17 points in 10 games. This, in addition to his experience on the managerial role, makes Berhalter’s advice useful for a young coach like Bradley, who’s navigating a challenging start in MLS.

“As a coach, you’re a product of all your experiences in the game,” Bradley responded to Bolavip when asked about Berhalter’s influence in his coaching career, with Berhalter showing happiness to see Bradley coaching in MLS.

“And those are experiences as a player, as a fan, as a coach. You try to take everything that you’ve seen, everything that you’ve been a part of, everything that you’ve heard, and put it all together in a way that is true to yourself and reflective of you and the environment that you want to create, and the football that you want your team to play.“

Horvath notes big differences between Bradley, Berhalter

Before having him as a coach on the US national team in 2018-2019, Bradley spent time with Berhalter as a teammate when the USMNT roster prepared for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Horvath also played under Berhalter for the Stars and Stripes, helping the country win the 2021 Concacaf Nations League by replacing Zack Steffen in the final against Mexico.

When asked by Bolavip about differences and similarities between Berhalter and Bradley, Horvath claimed their playing styles are completely different, though they have one thing in common when it comes to leading a group.

“I wouldn’t say too much, coaching national team and club are two different things,” Horvath said. “Michael’s within the Red Bull program. Everything’s ultra-aggressive, everything’s on the front foot, whereas with Gregg, we were all so aggressive, but at times, we were a bit more in block and pick and choose when to press and whatnot.

“For me, they’re two completely different coaches, completely different styles. But with all that being said, (they) still (get to) the same point to bring a group together, to be a family and a brotherhood.”

Bradley on Berhalter’s experience

Bradley also mentioned the differences between coaching a club and a national team, but he still took note of Berhalter’s work during their time together.

“Obviously, the national team is never a consistent day-to-day basis, but over the course of probably a year and a half or two years, I was in camps and games with him, and certainly, the way that he sees the game, the way that he set up training sessions, the tone that he has with the group, his way of leading. You take little bits of all that, and you try to use it in a way that then can help you,” Bradley added.

What’s for sure is that both coaches are in very different moments in their careers. While Bradley is just getting started on a New York team that has plenty of work to do, Berhalter is already in his second year in Chicago, bringing all his experience to a team that looks more mature and ready to make a playoff push in the 2026 MLS season.

“Yeah, I’ve always said one of the guys I worked with closely in my youth was someone I always worked to be similar to is Damian Las,” Brady said of his former teammate at the Chicago Fire academy.

“To me, he embodied the hard work it takes to be a goalkeeper at the professional level, and he really pushed the limit with speed, power, those type of attributes in the position. So, for me, it’s always been him, and I’ve been lucky I’ve been able to work closely with him.

“On a bigger stage, the world scale, guys that have been around. (Manuel) Neuer, (Thibaut) Courtois, Alisson, these guys. They’ve got a lot of very clean ways they play the position, and that’s stuff we look at every week.

“That’s stuff we discuss, if it’s someone who made a big save or a nice play, we talk about these things. In that way, we would look up to any of those guys.“

Brady’s great form ahead of 2026 World Cup

Brady is enjoying a fantastic moment early in his career. A strong start to the 2026 MLS season saw him make the USMNT roster in March, and even though Brady didn’t log minutes, his presence proves he’s on Mauricio Pochettino’s radar with only a few months to go the World Cup.

The Naperville native picked up right where he left off in his return to club action, posting his third clean sheet of the year to help the Fire beat Nashville 1-0. It was a statement win by Chicago, considering the Eastern Conference leaders were unbeaten before that game.

Brady’s four-save performance earned him a place on the MLS Team of the Matchday for the second time in the campaign, making the Best XI both times.

At 22, the future looks bright for the Fire sensation. It makes sense he tries to take note of what Neuer does at Bayern, Courtois at Madrid, or Alisson at Liverpool. With his current form, Brady is probably inspiring future goalkeepers as well.

“I think this is an important window for the respective national teams all across the world as they prepare in the final window for the World Cup,” Berhalter replied to Bolavip during his pre-match press conference ahead of the MLS clash against the Philadelphia Union.

“We have (Mbekezeli) Mbokazi going with South Africa. We have Joel (Waterman) with Canada and Chris Brady with the United States. We’ll have other youth levels and potentially others at the senior level,” Berhalter added.

“For the group, for those players, we’re proud of them. I think it’s a culmination of hard work over a long period of time to get the call-ups.“

Gregg Berhalter says it’s ‘amazing’ to be supporting Sebastian

Apart from addressing the call-ups for Chicago Fire players, Berhalter addressed his son, Sebastian, being selected to represent the USA.

“For Sebastian, you know, on an individual level as a parent, it’s amazing to be supporting him all this time, and have him start the season so well, and then get called into camp. There’s still a lot of work to be done, but hopefully he continues to perform well,” he added.

This marks the fourth time Sebastian Berhalter gets called up to the USMNT, having made his debut in 2025. It was a sensational year for the midfielder, who helped the USA reach the Concacaf Gold Cup final with two assists in five starts before scoring his first international goal during a statement 5-1 win over Uruguay in November.

Berhalter, who already boasts nine caps with the USMNT, has been in excellent form for the Vancouver Whitecaps. Voted player of the year in 2025, he picked up right where he left off by leading the team in goal contributions (three goals, four assists) in 2026.

The USMNT’s March fixtures

Sebastian Berhalter will now meet with Chicago Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady in Atlanta as both report to the USMNT, hoping to challenge for a World Cup spot.

The United States will face two top-10 FIFA-ranked European opponents at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, first hosting Belgium on Saturday, March 28 before taking on Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal on Tuesday, March 31.

“Yeah, you know, I think all players that are playing right now understand that their performances will be directly linked to their call-up. If they’re playing well, they have a very good chance of getting called into camp,” Berhalter said when asked by Bolavip about his thoughts on Brady’s form and his USMNT prospects.

“So, for Chris, for him to play well in the beginning of the season, all the games so far, to start getting these clean sheets, I thought building out of the back, he was very good against Columbus. So that’s a good sign,” Berhalter added, backing his goalkeeper.

“Obviously, the final decision is going to come down to the coaching staff, but all players can do is put in good performances week after week.“

Chris Brady’s form in 2026 MLS season with Chicago Fire

Brady, who turned 22 on March 3, was named to the MLS Team of the Matchday following his four-save shutout in Chicago‘s goalless draw against the Columbus Crew on Matchday 3.

It was the second consecutive clean sheet for the Naperville native, whose form makes him a candidate to get a USMNT call-up this month. The young goalie already has experience training with the Stars and Stripes, even though he has yet to make an official appearance with the senior national team.

Brady’s USMNT experience and chances

After being called up to the senior roster for training camp in June and making the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup squad, Brady returned to the USMNT for training camp in October 2025.

The starting spot appears to be locked in for New York City FC’s Matt Freese, whereas veteran New England Revolution keeper Matt Turner is also expected to make the World Cup. The third spot might be up for grabs, with Patrick Schulte of the Columbus Crew in contention.

But if Brady keeps up with this strong start to the year, it shouldn’t be a surprise to see the Chicago Fire sensation get a chance before the final cut for the big tournament.

“I love it,“ Berhalter replied to Bolavip at a press conference before Chicago‘s MLS game against the Columbus Crew. “I mean, that’s the mentality we need, right? We go into any tournament, and you believe you can win. And I think that’s the most important thing for the mindset of any group entering a tournament.

“Because, in reality, anything is possible, right? In theory, on any given day, we can beat any team in the world. So, you know, when you get to through the group, and hopefully we will, it’s a knockout phase, and it really is about the day, the form of the day. So, you know, I’m excited at that statement. I think it shows intention,” Berhalter continued.

“The group has had World Cup experience, the majority of that group. So they understand what a World Cup is like. We’ll have the home fans behind us, and I think it’s a great mindset to go into the World Cup with.”

Berhalter, of course, is very familiar with the USMNT roster, having coached the Stars and Stripes until 2024. With him at the helm, the USA reached the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar (Netherlands won that game 3-1 before losing in the quarterfinals to eventual champions Argentina).

What Pochettino told President Trump about the USA’s World Cup mindset

With the tournament taking place in North America this year, all eyes will be on whether Pochettino can lead the team further on home soil. The Argentine-born manager appears to have enough confidence to do so.

During a recent appearance on The High Performance Podcast, Pochettino shed light into a conversation with President Donald Trump about the USA’s chances at the 2026 World Cup.

“At the draw of the World Cup, I met Donald Trump for a few minutes. He asked me, ‘What do you think coach? Can you win the World Cup?’ I said, ‘Of course, Mr. President’. Because it’s the USA. The American dream is there. The American culture is about being first, being number one,” Pochettino said.

“When we accepted the challenge to go there, it was because we really believe that we can win (the World Cup). After a year and a half working there, people start to feel that we can win. The last few camps in October and November… we competed against very good teams and we started to show that possibility to perform well.

“We are going to have the support of a massive country and all its fans. To try and push us to run, score goals, and make tackles. I think that will be a massive boost for us,” Pochettino added.

The USMNT’s form ahead of 2026 World Cup

Riding on a five-game unbeaten run, the USMNT has been in promising form as of late, boasting 14 wins in its last 22 appearances. On top of that, it took down the likes of Uruguay and Paraguay in November, boosting the country’s hopes. Paraguay will be one of the USA’s group stage opponents at the 2026 World Cup, with Australia and the UEFA Playoff C winner completing Group D.

The Argentine captain, had started the last five matches and played every minute. Despite speculation, Messi has been confirmed to be in the starting lineup again today as Miami look to close the gap on the top of the table with another win.

Although Inter Miami have already clinched a postseason berth, they remain in contention for the Supporters’ Shield for the second year in a row. For that reason, Mascherano is likely to keep fielding his strongest squad as long as the team retains a mathematical chance of claiming the title.

The Herons currently sit third in the Eastern Conference with 56 points, while leaders Philadelphia Union hold 63 with two games left to play. Miami, meanwhile, still have four matches remaining in the regular season to try to make up ground.

Confirmed lineup for Inter Miami

With the Supporters’ Shield as their main objective in the regular season, despite already securing a playoff spot, Javier Mascherano placed his strongest XI at Chase Stadium against the Chicago Fire.

Confirmed Inter Miami lineup: Ustari; Weigandt, Avilés, Luján, Alba; De Paul, Busquets, Bright, Segovia; Messi, Suarez.

Confirmed lineup for Chicago Fire

The visitors sit ninth in the standings with 48 points and three matches remaining. A win against Inter Miami would strengthen their chances of holding on to a play-in spot and fighting for a postseason berth in the final stretch.

Confirmed Chicago Fire lineup: Brady; Dean, Elliott, Waterman, Cutman; Franco, D’Avilla, Haile-Selassie; Kouamé, Cuypers, Bamba.