The Vancouver Whitecaps delivered a historic efficiency at BC Place Stadium, crushing Philadelphia Union 7-0 in a Main League Soccer (MLS) conflict that immediately made headlines. In entrance of their house followers, the Canadian membership not solely handed a humiliating defeat to the Jap Convention leaders but in addition positioned themselves as severe contenders for the MLS Cup. The night time belonged to Thomas Müller scores a hat-trick, whereas inevitable comparisons rapidly emerged with Lionel Messi and his time at Inter Miami, highlighting how each international stars have already left their mark on American soccer.
The highlight was firmly on Thomas Müller, who celebrated his thirty sixth birthday in fashion. The German legend delivered a efficiency for the ages, scoring a memorable hat-trick to turn into the first participant in MLS historical past to attain three targets in a regular-season match on his birthday.
Müller’s targets got here at decisive moments of the match. He opened his account from the penalty spot within the thirtieth minute, added one other from 12 yards in first-half stoppage time (45+1’), and sealed the night time with the group’s seventh purpose within the 88th minute. The timing of his strikes not solely showcased his composure but in addition underlined his capacity to rise to massive events even within the latter phases of his profession.
Earlier, Mathías Laborda set the tone with the opening purpose at 18 minutes, adopted by a brace from Emmanuel Afriyie Mario Sabbi (24’ and 61’). Rayan Elloumi added his title to the scoresheet at 80 minutes, earlier than Müller put the exclamation level on a historic night time for the Whitecaps.
Lionel Messi missed a penalty in Inter Miami’s 3-0 defeat to Charlotte.
How does this examine to Messi at Inter Miami?
The inevitable comparability is with Lionel Messi, who joined Inter Miami in 2023 with international fanfare. Messi dazzled the MLS from the second he arrived, scoring spectacular targets and carrying Miami to its first Leagues Cup title.
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Messi’s first hat-trick for Inter Miami got here on October 19, 2024, in an exciting 6-2 victory over New England Revolution. He got here off the bench and struck within the 78’, 81’, and 89’ minutes to seal the win. That efficiency helped Inter Miami break the MLS regular-season factors document with 74 factors. He had performed 19 MLS regular-season matches in 2024 earlier than attaining that hat-trick.
Müller’s early numbers in Vancouver
Since becoming a member of the Whitecaps in August 2025, Müller has made 3 appearances for the membership as of the date of his hat-trick. In these matches, he has already scored 4 targets.
For the Whitecaps, this 7-0 victory was extra than simply three factors—it was a assertion of intent. Crushing one of many Jap Convention’s high groups in such style sends a transparent message to the remainder of MLS: Vancouver is able to problem for silverware. With Müller main by instance, the Whitecaps could possibly be one of the vital harmful sides heading into the playoffs.
