Thomas Müller’s hunt for the North American title Major League Soccer (MLS) continues. The 2014 world champion is with the Vancouver Whitecaps in the final of the Western Conference.
Vancouver won the conference semifinals against the Los Angeles FC 4:3 in the penalty shootout, after extra time the score was 2:2 (2:2, 2:0) – Vancouver played the entire overtime while outnumbered. For the first time in the club’s history, the Whitecaps are now in the conference finals, their opponents are next weekend San Diego FC or Minnesota United. If they win, they will be in the MLS final against the best team in the world Eastern Conference go.
“Incredible!!!! What a crazy game!!!”, Müller wrote on Instagram after the crime thriller. In a video message he also addressed the fans in a hoarse voice: “What a night. I’m so proud of the team and to be part of this group”said the 36-year-old: “The game was so intense.”
Müller makes it 2-0
Müller once again played a significant role, preparing the score for 2-0 and was substituted after regular time. The tragic hero of the evening was Heung-min Son on the other side. The former Bundesliga star first saved LA in extra time with a late brace (60th minute/90th+5) – and then put his attempt in the penalty shootout against the post. Vancouver defender Mathias Laborda scored decisively against former French national goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
Dramatic final phase
In the first half, Emmanuel Sabbi (39′) and Laborda (45’+1) put the Whitecaps in the lead with a double strike, and Müller initiated the second goal. Vancouver led until the final phase in front of 55,000 home fans, then events came to a head: In stoppage time, defender Tristan Blackmon was shown yellow-red for repeated foul play (90+2), just moments later the South Korean Son converted a direct free kick to equalize (90+5). In extra time, Los Angeles had a few chances, and in added time the guests even hit the crossbar twice in quick succession (120+2) – Vancouver had the better nerve in the penalty shootout.
Müller has been playing in Canada since this summer and immediately took on a key role in his new team after leaving FC Bayern Munich. In eleven competitive games across all competitions, he scored nine goals and prepared four goals.