Thomas Müller missed out on top spot in the Western Conference with the Vancouver Whitecaps at the end of the main round of the MLS.
The former national player once again proved to be accurate and scored a penalty to equalize in the 1:2 (1:1) home defeat against FC Dallas.
In the playoffs again against Dallas
The Whitecaps, who could have moved into the playoffs as first in the West for the first time in their club history with a draw, slipped behind San Diego FC, who ended up with the same points. This means they will face FC Dallas again in the playoffs (from October 24th).
The quarterfinals in the conferences will be played in “best of three” mode. Vancouver would have home advantage in a potentially necessary third game.
Seventh goal of the season from a penalty
Vancouver’s attack on the top spot was made difficult early on against Dallas by a red card for defender Mathias Laborda (11th). Shortly afterwards, Osaze Urhoghide (17th) gave Dallas the lead. Müller quickly equalized with his seventh goal in the seventh game (26th), but the guests had the last word through Sarver Kaick (47th).
“It was a tough fight with ten men and an unfortunate result,” Müller wrote on Instagram: “We are now looking forward to the playoffs.”
For the 36-year-old, it was the first defeat on the pitch in a Whitecaps jersey.
Messi takes the crown with three goals
Superstar Lionel Messi is also in the playoffs with Inter Miami, who secured the top scorer’s crown with a hat-trick on the last matchday. In the 5:2 (1:2) win at Nashville SC with German professional Hany Mukhtar, the Argentine world champion scored his goals of the season 27, 28 and 29 – in only his 28th appearance.
Miami finished third in the main round of the Eastern Conference and will face Nashville again in the playoffs.