Thomas Müller doesn’t just score from the penalty spot in Major League Soccer. With the Vancouver Whitecaps, the former Bayern star has achieved something historic – and already reached his first goal of the season. For Messi’s Inter Miami, this is still a long way off.
It was a historic day for the Vancouver Whitecaps – and an all-round successful birthday for Thomas Müller. The former national player, now 36, scored three goals in the West Canadians’ 7-0 (4-0) win over Philadelphia Union. With the highest victory in the club’s history, his team also secured their ticket to the playoffs.
“It feels really good. A perfect evening,” enthused bearded Müller, who scored twice from the penalty spot (29th minute/45+1) and put the finishing touch on the game with a header (88th minute). These were his second to fourth goals in his third MLS appearance for his new employer. Müller had already converted a penalty in his debut in a 3-2 win over St. Louis. In addition, the former Munich player recorded the seventh hat trick of his professional career, the last of which came in April 2018 in a 6-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the semifinals of the DFB Cup.
Assist for the 5-0
In addition to his three goals, Müller also provided an assist for the Whitecaps’ fifth goal, scored by Emmanuel Sabbi with a curling shot in the 61st minute. The Italian-born player had also scored the second goal (24th minute). Mathias Laborda scored the first goal (18th minute) The 17-year-old Rayan Elloumi also scored with a header to make it 6-0 (80th minute) for the home side in their resounding victory over the Eastern Conference leaders.
Domestically in Canada, the Whitecaps continue their campaign on Tuesday in the Canadian Championship. In the semi-final second leg, Müller’s team will face Forge FC from the Canadian Premier League. The first leg ended 2-2 in mid-August without the German.
Messi misses penalty miserably
What else happened in Major League Soccer? Superstar Lionel Messi lost 3-0 (0-1) with Inter Miami in Cincinnati, miserably missing a penalty when the score was 0-0 (32′). His Panenka-style attempt was easily saved by goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina. Miami, who were without the suspended Luis Suarez, now face an uphill battle to qualify for the MLS playoffs. Idan Toklomati scored all three goals for Charlotte.
Without Marco Reus, Western Conference bottom side L.A. Galaxy drew 2-2 in Seattle. Coach Sandro Schwarz’s New York Red Bulls lost 2-1 to the Portland Timbers despite a goal from former Leipzig player Emil Forsberg. A goal from Marcel Hartel contributed to St. Louis City SC’s 2-0 win at Club de Foot Montreal.
Hat tricks from Bouanga and Rossi
Heung-Min Son opened the scoring in the 1st minute of Los Angeles FC’s 4-2 win at San Jose Earthquakes, with Dennis Bouanga scoring the visitors’ other goals. Meanwhile, it was a wild goal fest in Atlanta. Visitors Columbus Crew took a five-goal lead—Diego Rossi scored three times—but Eastern Conference bottom side United pulled back to 4-5 before the final whistle.
