Thomas Müller (bottom right) advanced to the semifinals with Vancouver. © Vancouver Whitecaps

Thomas Müller makes history with Vancouver

Thomas Müller's hunt for the title in the North American soccer league continues.

23 November 2025

From: dpa

The 2014 World Cup champions, the Vancouver Whitecaps, have reached the Western Conference final after a 4-3 (2-0, 2-2) penalty shootout victory over Los Angeles FC. A win would see them face the top team from the Eastern Conference in the Major League Soccer (MLS) final.

Müller failed to score and was substituted after the end of regular time. The 36-year-old did manage one shot on goal: his header in first-half stoppage time was saved, but Mathias Laborda then made it 2-0 in stoppage time (45+1).

Reaching the semi-finals was Vancouver's greatest success

Shortly before, Emmanuel Sabbi (39th minute) had put the Whitecaps in the lead. New signing Son Heung-Min (60th and 90+5 minutes) scored twice for LAFC, and like Müller, he's having a strong season. Laborda converted the decisive penalty to make it 4-3 and send Vancouver to the semifinals. Vancouver's advancement to the Western Conference final is already the best result in the team's history.

Müller has been playing in Canada since this summer and immediately assumed a key role in his new team after leaving FC Bayern Munich. In eleven competitive matches, he has scored nine goals and provided four assists.