Thomas Müller clearly won the first playoff game against Dallas with the Vancouver Whitecaps. What’s next in the MLS?
It was like the best of times at FC Bayern: When Thomas Müller left the pitch at the BC Place Stadium in the 86th minute, the fans of the Vancouver Whitecaps were upside down. With chants and standing ovations, they celebrated their captain, who led his team to a dream start in the Major League Soccer (MLS) playoffs with a goal.
“We are ready for more. I want to have fun with the boys. We controlled the game from the start and distributed the ball well”Müller said happily on Apple TV after the convincing 3-0 (1-0) against FC Dallas, but at the same time, given the best-of-three mode, he curbed the huge euphoria that he himself had sparked in the last few weeks: “That was just one win, we need a second one.”
Vancouver is highly superior
In this form, Müller doesn’t have to worry too much before the second duel on Sunday (2.30 CET) in Texas: The Caps, who had only ever won a playoff game in their history, were superior to Dallas in all respects and should have won more with a score of 22:1.
Daniel Rios (43′) had given the hosts the lead before Müller struck ice-cold with a penalty kick in the 60th minute. The veteran didn’t allow himself to be unsettled by Dallas keeper Michael Collodi, who showed Müller a corner. The Bayern icon simply chose the other one – and scored. For Müller it was the ninth goal for the Whitecaps in their ninth competitive game across all competitions. There are also four templates. Kenji Cabrera (83′) made the final score.
On the way to the title?
Müller and the Caps have great ambitions: Despite strong competition such as main round winners Philadelphia Union or Inter Miami with world star Lionel Messi, the Canadian champions feel ready for the first “MLS Cup” – thanks to Müller. Managing director Axel Schuster described the 36-year-old everything winner as “missing puzzle piece”; During the contract negotiations he convinced him with the words: “If you’re here, we can win everything.”
And the start of the “Raumdeuter”, as they reverently call Müller on the Canadian west coast, was indeed promising. “Yes, runs and runs”said Müller, he quickly explained why: “I get into a lot more offensive situations here than in the Bundesliga.” Things are tighter at home “Tougher defended. There’s a little more space here.”
Knockout games to the final
If the Caps survive the “best of three” series, it will be extremely exciting. A single duel will decide the remaining three rounds, including the final on St. Nicholas Day. “Like in the DFB Cup”Müller said on BR’s program Blickpunkt Sport: “Go home, end of season – or move on. At least you don’t need any bad luck that day.”
In order to force luck on their side, sports stars in North America like to grow playoff beards, and Müller has also recently started sporting facial hair. Out of superstition? “The whole thing came about a bit by flying back and forth.”he said with a smile, “At some point I got past the point where it itches and goes away easily.” That’s fine: Thomas Müller has also come to stay.