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MLS monitoring wildfires ahead of LAFC-Sounders playoff match

MLS said it is monitoring the situation related to the wildfires currently raging in Southern California ahead of Tuesday's Western Conference final.

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Tuesday's match between LAFC and the Seattle Sounders (10 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN3) is set to take place at Banc of California near downtown Los Angeles. The venue is approximately 20 miles to the southeast of the Getty fire that broke out early Monday morning. A league spokesperson said that at present the wind direction is favorable in that it is blowing away from Banc of California Stadium.

There is a chance that the game could be postponed if the air quality deteriorates to a point where it is deemed unsafe for players and fans. The MLS spokesperson added that the league had considered using hydration breaks on Tuesday if the air quality warrants such action.

Following last Thursday's Western Conference semifinal between LAFC and the LA Galaxy, Galaxy forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic complained of poor air quality.

An Aug. 22, 2018 match in the National Women's Soccer League match between the Portland Thorns and Sky Blue was played amid poor air quality with wildfire smoke filling Providence Park. The match featured two hydration breaks per half in a bid to deal with the conditions.