Thomas Müller is aiming for the Major League Soccer (MLS) title in his first season with the Vancouver Whitecaps. In the final it’s against Lionel Messi.
The 2014 soccer world champion won the semifinals with the Canadian team at San Diego FC 3-1 (3-0). In the duel for the first MLS triumph in the club’s history, the Whitecaps will face superstar Lionel Messi and Inter Miami on Saturday (8:30 p.m.) in Florida.
“It’s a big final, I wanted it”said Müller after the game: “I feel great. I’m so proud of my team, this group deserves so much.”
Clear lead at half time
Brian White (8th) gave the guests an early lead in the Western Conference final. A curious own goal by San Diego goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega (11th) quickly made it 2-0, before White (45th + 2) added his second goal of the evening before the break.
In the second half, Mexican international Hirving Lozano (60th) reduced the deficit for the home team, before the unlucky Sisniega was shown a red card in the final phase after a foul outside the penalty area (79th). “One more step”wrote Müller, who only moved to Vancouver at the beginning of August, on Instagram.
Tadeo Allende with a hat-trick for Miami
Inter Miami also confidently reached the final. Tadeo Allende with a hat-trick (14th/23rd/89th), Mateo Silvetti after an assist from Messi (67th) and Telasco Segovia (83rd) scored the goals for the team of coach Javier Mascherano, who praised his superstar highly after the encounter.
“Leo got us used to the extraordinary”said Messi’s compatriot: “He is someone extraordinary, someone we will never see again. Today we may be surprised that he didn’t score, but he reassured us with the third goal, an assist that only he can see. He practically decided the game.” For Miami, the final is also about the first championship title in the club’s history.