Perfect birthday: Müller's goal gala feeds Vancouver's landslide victory
Thomas Müller doesn't just score from the penalty spot in Major League Soccer. With the Vancouver Whitecaps, the former Bayern Munich star has achieved historic success – and has already reached his first goal of the season. For Messi's Inter Miami, this goal is still a long way off.
Seven goals against Philadelphia: The Vancouver Whitecaps celebrate with Thomas Müller. picture alliance / ZUMAPRESS.com
It was a historic day for the Vancouver Whitecaps – and a truly successful birthday for Thomas Müller . The former international, now 36 years old, scored a hat trick in the Western Canadians' 7-0 (4-0) victory over the Philadelphia Union . His team also secured a spot in the playoffs with the biggest win in the club's history.
"It feels really good. A perfect evening," enthused bearded Müller, who scored twice from the penalty spot (29th minute/45th+1) and finally added the final goal with a header (88th). 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 match in the 3-2 win against St. Louis.
The three goals were accompanied by an assist in the Whitecaps' 5-0 victory, which Emmanuel Sabbi scored with a curling shot in the 61st minute. The Italian-born player also added the finishing touch to make it 2-0 (24th minute). Mathias Laborda made it 1-0 (18th minute) and 17-year-old Rayan Elloumi headed in the 6-0 (80th minute) as the home team's other goalscorers in the resounding victory over the Eastern Conference leaders.
The Whitecaps' Canadian campaign continues on Tuesday in the Canadian Championship . Müller's team will face Forge FC of the Canadian Premier League in the semifinal second leg. The first leg ended 2-2 in mid-August, without the German.
Messi misses penalty miserablyWhat else was happening in Major League Soccer ? Superstar Lionel Messi and Inter Miami suffered a resounding 3-0 (0-1) defeat in Cincinnati, missing a penalty with the score tied at 0-0 in the 32nd minute. Goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina easily saved his Panenka-style effort. Miami, which played without the suspended Luis Suarez , is struggling to make the MLS playoffs. Idan Toklomati scored all three goals for Charlotte .
Without Marco Reus, West German bottom-placed LA 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 RossiHeung-Min Son opened Los Angeles FC's 4-2 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes in the first minute, with Dennis Bouanga scoring all the other goals for the visitors. Meanwhile, the goal fest in Atlanta was a wild affair. Visiting Columbus Crew took a five-goal lead – Diego Rossi scored three – before East's bottom-placed United FC narrowed the gap to 4-5 before the final whistle.
kicker
