Perfect birthday: Three Müller goals at Vancouver gala

Vancouver. Three goals in a historic goal-scoring gala and playoff qualification with the Vancouver Whitecaps: Thomas Müller's 36th birthday couldn't have gone better. With his Canadian team, the outstanding 2014 World Cup winners achieved the biggest victory in the club's history with a 7-0 (4-0) victory over the Philadelphia Union in North America's Major League Soccer.

"It feels really good. A perfect evening," enthused Müller, who recently sported a distinctive beard. With 52 points, the Whitecaps have now booked their ticket to the knockout rounds in the Western Conference early.

Müller converted two penalties (29th minute/45th+1) and added a header shortly before the final whistle (88th minute) – his second, third, and fourth goals in his third MLS match. He had already scored from the penalty spot, scoring his first goal in the 3-2 win against St. Louis.

The former international also provided the perfect assist for the Whitecaps' fifth goal. Emmanuel Sabbi curled Müller's pass into the net (61'). The Italian-born striker had also previously made it 2-0 (24'), while Mathías Laborda had also scored Vancouver's first goal (18'). 17-year-old Rayan Elloumi made it 6-0 with a header (80').

The Whitecaps' campaign continues on Tuesday (local time) in the Canadian Championship, a competition exclusively for Canadian teams. In the semifinal second leg, Müller's team will face Forge FC of the Canadian Premier League. The first leg ended 2-2 in mid-August without the German.

Since his move, Müller has been one of the MLS's flagship players, but by no means the only one. 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 is now in danger of missing the MLS playoffs.

RND/dpa