Seventh goal in seventh game: Thomas Müller also scored in the Vancouver Whitecaps’ final regular season game, but was unable to prevent his first defeat in the MLS. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi scored a hat trick to get himself in playoff form.
For the first time in the club’s history, the Vancouver Whitecaps were in contention for first place in the Western Conference ahead of the final matchday of the MLS regular season. Never before had the Canadians gone into the playoffs as regular season winners, and a draw against FC Dallas on Saturday night would have been enough.
However, after an early red card for Laborda for a professional foul, the home side had to play with ten men for a good 80 minutes, and shortly afterwards Dallas took the lead through Urhoghide (17′). Müller equalized from the penalty spot (28′), but after Dallas took the lead again shortly after halftime (Kaick, 47th minute), the Whitecaps had no answer – despite several good chances. This sealed Müller’s first defeat in a Whitecaps jersey.
Whitecaps’ playoff opponent confirmed
“It was a tough battle with ten men and an unfortunate result,” was the brief analysis of the 36-year-old, who has now scored in three consecutive games and recorded his seventh goal in seven MLS games, on Instagram.
However, the former Bayern pro immediately looked ahead: “We are now looking forward to the playoffs.” There, they will face Dallas again in the first round, who jumped to seventh place in the West with their win in Vancouver. In a best-of-three series, Müller and the Whitecaps now have a quick chance for revenge – but it is not yet known when Vancouver will start the playoffs. The exact schedule has yet to be finalized, with the playoffs set to begin on October 24.
Messi shoots his way to the top of the scoring charts …
Lionel Messi seems to be in top form just in time for the playoffs. After his brace against Atlanta last week, the 38-year-old added a hat trick against Nashville at the end of the regular season. With his 27th, 28th, and 29th goals of the season, the Argentine also secured the top scorer crown. Miami came back from a halftime deficit after a late double strike by the home side (43rd and 45th+6) to win 5-2 at Nashville SC, which features German pro Hany Mukhtar. Messi had given the visitors the lead in the 34th minute and was also responsible for the equalizer in the 63rd minute from the penalty spot. Baltasar Gallego (67th), Messi again (81st) and Telasco Segovia (90th+1, assisted by Messi) sealed the clear victory in the end.
… but narrowly misses out on the record
“What else can I say about Leo?” wondered Miami coach Javier Mascherano about his star player’s latest fabulous performance. “The truth is, he was exceptional today, as he so often is. For what he showed, he will certainly be named the league’s most valuable player.”
Miami now enters the playoffs in third place in the Eastern Conference, facing Nashville again in the first round. Messi finished the regular season with 29 goals in 28 appearances – only three players in MLS history have scored more goals in a regular season: Carlos Vela (34), Josef Martinez (31), and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (30). Messi also provided 19 assists, ultimately falling just one point short of equaling Vela’s MLS record for most points in a season (49).