Shortly before the start of the play-offs, Thomas Müller made his comeback for the Vancouver Whitecaps. Meanwhile, Timo Werner picked up an assist for the San Jose Earthquakes before being shown a red card later on.
The Whitecaps were already leading 3–0 in their clash with San Diego FC when Thomas Müller came on in the 74th minute. The 37-year-old German made his comeback after recovering from a thigh injury that had sidelined him for around three weeks, and ultimately celebrated a comfortable home win with his team. Even Rayan Elloumi’s yellow-red card for kicking the ball away (90+4) did nothing to change that.
Whilst Vancouver thus remain top of the Western Conference after 31 matches, ahead of closest rivals FC Dallas – who lost 0–2 to the Columbus Crew – their place in the play-offs has been secured since 11 October. San Diego, meanwhile, have no chance of reaching the knockout stages following their defeat at BC Place Stadium.
Werner sets up a goal and is sent off
Also set to feature in the play-offs are the San Jose Earthquakes, who at least managed to secure a point against the Colorado Rapids (2–2). Initially, however, the hosts found themselves a man down and conceded to make it 1–2 (73’), as Timo Werner had been shown a red card shortly before following a dispute with the referee (71’). The former German international had set up the opening goal in the 15th minute, with Reid Roberts scoring from his cross.
Shortly after Werner’s sending-off and the visitors taking the lead, Rapids player Kosi Thompson was also shown a straight red card (75’) – and the Earthquakes equalised (83’).
Inter Miami secure a late draw
Inter Miami also secured their place in the play-offs two weeks ago, but are now looking ahead to an important away match at the weekend. Following a late 2–2 draw against FC Cincinnati – in which Luis Suárez opened the scoring (61’) and Riquelme equalised shortly before full-time (90’) – Miami face a clash with fellow mid-table side New England Revolution on Monday (1 am).
With two matchdays remaining in the regular season, New England overtook Inter Miami with a 3–2 win over the New York Red Bulls and now sit second in the Eastern Conference. Lionel Messi and his team-mates will be aiming for victory in this head-to-head clash to secure more home matches in the play-offs thanks to a higher league position. There are still two matchdays remaining in the regular season before the play-offs begin on 18 November with the wild-card round.