The hunt for title number 36 continues.
Thomas Muller (36) is in the semi-finals of Major League Soccer (MLS) with his Vancouver Whitecaps! There was a dramatic 6-4 win after penalties against Los Angeles FC with veteran stars Heung-min Son (33) and Hugo Lloris (38)!
The dream of winning the MLS title is getting closer for Müller.
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Canadian fans also know that there is still hope for Müller. The 53,000 crowd made a lot of noise at the sold out BC Place. The Whitecaps also played big. From the start, Müller’s team played attacking and created several opportunities. LA, coached by 96 legend Steven Cherundolo (46)limited.
Vancouver only answered with a goal shortly before the break. And it even vibrated twice as much.
39th minute: After a long pass from goalkeeper Takaoka, LA’s defense was completely empty. Sabbi suddenly stood right in front of goalkeeper Lloris. He lifted the ball over the 2018 world champion and into the net.
Thomas Müller celebrates the goal with Brian White
First 45+ minutes: Canada’s big force this season is the standard Sebastian Berhalter. After his corner kick, Müller headed the ball. Lloris was only able to parry the attempt – but right at the feet of Laborda, who managed to thwart it. The fans are absolutely crazy!
Müller was active as usual, but this time he didn’t manage to score. He takes a lot of free kicks and acts as a motivator. He received a yellow for a tactical foul (44).
Müller takes a free kick – then takes a deep breath
After the break, the away team pushed – and were rewarded moments later: Former Bundesliga star Son (HSV and Leverkusen) pokes the ball into the net (60th).
After that, LA continued to appear powerful and had many opportunities. In stoppage time, Vancouver’s defensive chief Blackmon was brought down with a yellow-red card.
Son drilled the resulting free kick into the corner from the edge of the box in the 96th minute – equalizing!
Son was absolutely terrified after equalizing
At the start of extra time, Müller had to come off. With one more man, LA continues to press. In the 112th minute, Vancouver defender Belal Halbouni also had to come off due to injury. However, the Whitecaps can no longer change. With only nine men remaining, Vancouver was swimming like crazy. LA’s efforts hit the post and crossbar several times.
But the team almost got through to the penalty shootout.
Double scorer Son, of all people, fired his penalty into the post. Professional player LA Delgado also wanted to be very smart, but failed to score. However, the Whitecaps only had one professional player, Ocampo, shoot.
And Vancouver is in the semi-finals for the first time!
Müller is with us 35 titles collected already the German record holder. Still, he wanted more! Regarding the importance of the MLS title, he recently said: “In the current context, this is a very big title, it is mine here and now. Most importantly, I am moving to a new league and a new country and will then witness an extraordinary team performance in a short time.” Müller still has a contract in Vancouver until the end of 2026.
The semifinals will be against San Diego or Minnesota next Saturday. The final will take place on December 6.
