Goal Disallowed
©IMAGO
The Vancouver Whitecaps were leading 1-0 against the visiting Houston Dynamo in front of 26,031 fans at BC Place, thanks to an early penalty goal from Brian White. Thomas Müller entered the match in the 61st minute and soon appeared to have sealed the game with a stunning goal from outside the box, sending the crowd into a frenzy. However, the celebration was short-lived as the offside flag was raised, nullifying the goal. Unfortunately for Müller, his debut didn’t include a memorable goal as Artur later equalized for the Dynamo, ending the match at 1-1.
After the match, Müller expressed his mixed emotions: “I have mixed feelings. The moment I scored the [offside] goal was incredible—the noise from the crowd and the reaction from my teammates made it a great start for me. In the end, the result was disappointing. It was a good shot, but just not in my favor. If you watch the game, that’s a goal I could score once a season,” Müller reflected. This debut came on the heels of an eventful few days for the 35-year-old: he arrived in Vancouver on Wednesday, was officially introduced by the club on Thursday, and immediately joined training with his own personal media team and a swarm of German journalists documenting his arrival. A local Munich newspaper declared “Müllermania in Vancouver,” a testament to the attention Müller is attracting from his homeland, unlike any German player since Lothar Matthäus’ time in New York in 2000.
The presence Müller brings off the pitch has already made a significant impact on Vancouver, and now the focus shifts to fulfilling his purpose—winning the MLS Cup, the first major trophy for the Whitecaps since they last claimed the old NASL Cup in 1979. Head coach Jesper Sørensen noted, “He has a high football IQ, which helps him understand positioning and attacking spaces. He’s been here for just three days, and we aim to integrate him quickly into the team. He’s shown great potential in his two training sessions.”
Upcoming Match Against St. Louis CITY SC – Will Müller Make His First Start?
So what’s next for Müller? “He’ll have a solid training week, and if everything goes well, we might see him in the starting lineup soon—possibly next Saturday,” Sørensen mentioned. That match could mark Müller’s first start as the Whitecaps host St. Louis CITY SC at BC Place, where he will encounter familiar faces, as St. Louis has five German players on the squad, including goalkeeper Roman Bürki, a known opponent from their Bundesliga battles.
In terms of positioning, Sørensen emphasized, “He should play a central role, potentially just below the frontline, which suits him best. Today’s game showcased many positive aspects we can build on.” Müller’s conversations with Sørensen played a significant role in his decision to join the Whitecaps, and he reaffirmed his confidence in the coach, stating, “Yes, 100 percent. Jesper expected this from me.”
Once on the pitch, Müller took charge of the midfield, identifying spaces and attempting to create opportunities. While the match against Houston didn’t yield results this time, it served as a promising indication of what Whitecaps fans can anticipate in the future. “Jesper knew what to expect from me when they brought me in. If I’m on the pitch, I focus on organizing my own position, but I also communicate any important adjustments directly to my teammates. That instinct won’t change regardless of it being my first game,” Müller explained. He had a strong start in terms of leadership; all that remains is to find the back of the net, which he is certain will come soon enough.
