Vancouver advances to the MLS quarterfinals
Müller scores in the penalty thriller
Updated 11/02/2025 – 7:27 amReading time: 2 minutes
The winning streak continues: Thomas Müller and his Vancouver Whitecaps reach the MLS quarter-finals after a penalty thriller against FC Dallas.
Thomas Müller and the Vancouver Whitecaps achieved their second victory in the second playoff game. This means that the Canadians easily beat FC Dallas in the best-of-3 series of the first playoff round of the Mayor League Soccer (North American professional soccer league).
After the clear 3-0 win in the first leg, the second game of the series is a real thriller. After 25 minutes, Dallas took the lead through striker Petar Musa. The Croatian’s goal was the only one in the game for a long time and so it looked like a victory for the Texans until injury time. But then comes Müller: A header from the former German international in stoppage time in the second half lands in the six-yard box on the head of teammate Ralph Priso, who puts the ball on goal. His attempt is initially cleared off the line, but he sinks the rebound to make it 1-1. The late equalizer sends the game into a penalty shootout as there is no extra time in the MLS first play-off round.
In the penalty shootout, Müller takes responsibility and converts safely from the spot. While no player at Vancouver misses a shot, FC Dallas has two with Patrickson Delgado and Nolan Norris. So in the end it is 5:3 after penalties for the Whitecaps.
Müller is extremely happy after the end of the game. After the decisive penalty, the 36-year-old danced exuberantly with his teammate Sebastian Berhalter on the pitch. “Like a little schoolboy,” says the commentator during the broadcast on Apple TV+.
In the next round, Thomas Müller’s team will face either Austin or Los Angeles FC. LA is currently leading the duel 1-0. Spicy: The team from California spoke to the ex-Bayern star about a possible transfer before he moved to Canada. A meeting could therefore be particularly interesting. The first game is scheduled for November 22nd.
Inter Miami with superstar Lionel Messi have to play in a playoff. The Florida team lost 2-1 to Nashville SC. Sam Surridge (9th, penalty kick) and Josh Bauer (45th) gave ex-Hertha player Hany Mukthar’s team the lead, but Messi’s goal shortly before the end came too late (89th). The third game of the series will again take place in Miami, where Inter won 3-1 in the first game.
The only team other than Vancouver, Philadelphia Union with Kai Wagner is already in the next round. The best team of the regular season clearly won 3-0 (3-0) in the second duel at Chicago Fire FC after a home win on penalties.