New MLS season started
©IMAGO
The Vancouver Whitecaps reached the Major League Soccer final last season and have also started the new season successfully with a win. Before his first full year in the MLS, leader Thomas Müller spoke about the goals with the Canadians, the World Cup in the summer, where Canada is co-hosting, and what career options are possible after the end of his playing career.
Müller did not want to name a specific placement as a target for the Whitecaps in the interview with the “Kicker”, but emphasized: “For me it is about leaving our mark on the Western Conference in the regular season. It would be nice if we managed our style of play and performance in such a way that we are perceived as a unit on the pitch, leaving little room for negligence. We want to build on this activity and dominance that distinguished us in important games last fall.” With a squad value of 58 million euros, Vancouver has the fourth most valuable team in the MLS.
In general, the performance gap within the league’s teams is greater than in Europe. “This is probably also due to the salary cap, you can’t just buy based on quality, whatever the cost. The league has a variety of guidelines for squad structure that you have to adhere to. We have some players from our own youth who can help us very well and also start,” emphasized the ex-Munich player.
There is no club that he may not have played against last year and that he is therefore particularly looking forward to. For the veteran, other things count. “I asked the boys where the atmosphere is best. In Minneapolis, the stadium and atmosphere are supposed to be great. Like in the Bundesliga, it’s about where the place is full.”
Müller can imagine a coaching career
His contract was extended until the end of the year via an option. It remains to be seen what will happen next for the 36-year-old. But it doesn’t sound like the attacker’s career is over at the moment. He still enjoys the always strenuous preparation for the season. Müller: “I really enjoy the feeling of being able to ignite emotions and inspire people with my own performance and that of the team. That’s why it’s worth sweating in preparation. Especially because I have the feeling that with the Whitecaps I represent the city of Vancouver and its residents beyond the country’s borders.” He has appeared 16 times for the Whitecaps so far, contributing nine goals and four assists.
At some point, however, such a successful career will inevitably come to an end. FC Bayern would then like to include the crowd favorite in whatever position. One option for Müller is a coaching position. “I don’t know which training path I will take when I hang up my football boots at some point. That will also depend on what I feel within myself with a little distance. Do I want to continue to be part of this football world that has given me so many emotions? If so, do I want to be on the pitch? That means little job stability unless you become a youth coach. We definitely need trainers in Germany who are not concerned with their coaching careers, but with shaping and improving their players.” But he wanted to take a “peaceful look” at what he would do after his career. “I don’t want to get some kind of license on the side so that it can continue straight away.”
Müller on Canada’s World Cup chances: “The round of 16 or quarter-finals would be a big deal”
Müller is also feeling anticipation in the city for the World Cup, which starts on June 11th. “People are already talking about the World Cup a lot, comparing it to the 2010 Winter Olympics. For me, it is most noticeable through our schedule, with many away games in a row, because the artificial turf in the stadium will be replaced by natural turf from the end of April. When the games start, everyone will be excited. The Canadians have national pride, two of their group games are taking place here, there will be something on offer in Vancouver.”
Canada faces Qatar, Switzerland and an opponent from the UEFA playoffs in Group B. Müller has a lot of confidence in the North Americans at the XL tournament. “They have been on a good path and competitive for some time. They have a lot of good players besides Phonzie Davies. The round of 16 or even the quarter-finals would certainly be a big number for Canada.” His former teammate from FC Bayern is the most valuable Canadian footballer with 50 million euros.
