With a last-minute goal, Thomas Müller shot the Vancouver Whitecaps to the top of the Western Conference table – and caught up with Marco Reus. Lionel Messi also shone once again.
Thomas Müller continues to be unstoppable in the MLS. When the extra time had already expired in the rescheduled match at Orlando City, the Vancouver Whitecaps’ new superstar scored the 2-1 winner, propelling his team to first place in the Western Conference ahead of the final matchday of the regular season, although Los Angeles FC could overtake them again on Monday night (CEST) with a win in their rescheduled match at Austin FC.
For the Whitecaps, it was the crowning glory of a dramatic final phase. First, US youngster Nelson Pierre, who had come on seven minutes earlier, equalized the half-time deficit (Dagur Dan Thorhallsson, 24th minute) rather luckily when he was hit by Orlando’s Kyle Smith after a shot from teammate Sebastian Berhalter hit the post (81st minute).
When the five minutes of added time began, the visitors seemed to have finally turned the game around when another Berhalter shot hit the post and rebounded off goalkeeper Pedro Gallese and seemingly crossed the line. Although Müller, who was positioned nearby, protested loudly, the goal was not given even after a lengthy VAR check. Apparently, no one could conclusively determine whether the ball had actually crossed the line completely, even though the TV images suggested it had. Goal-line technology is not used in MLS.
And yet the Whitecaps had the last word. Müller picked up a ball in the penalty area, dribbled a little while his opponents respectfully kept their distance, and found the gap for a precise low shot with his left foot into the near corner (90+7). He was immediately “buried” by his ecstatic teammates, prompting him to write on Instagram with a laughing emoji: “Scoring goals can be dangerous.”
Müller already like Reus – Messi beckons top scorer crown
Müller has not only collected eleven points in his last six competitive games (seven goals, four assists), but with his sixth goal in his sixth MLS appearance, he has already caught up with Marco Reus, who needed 27 appearances to achieve the same feat. The former Dortmund player was again absent from Los Angeles Galaxy’s 2-1 win over an early decimated FC Dallas with a thigh injury.
Lionel Messi, on the other hand, is in impressive form ahead of the playoffs. In Inter Miami’s 4-0 win over Atlanta United, the Argentine scored twice (39th/87th) and also set up Jordi Alba’s goal to make it 2-0 (52nd). Messi is the first player to score nine multiple goals in a single MLS season and, with 26 goals to his name, is not only the favorite to win his second consecutive MVP title, but also to win the top scorer crown. Denis Bouanga of Los Angeles FC is second with 24 goals.
