Müller with bicycle kick and penalty goal: Vancouver leaves Dallas no chance

Thomas Müller and the Vancouver Whitecaps celebrate against Dallas. IMAGO/Sports Press Photo

After their last defeat to Dallas ( 1-2 ) at the end of the MLS season, Vancouver was warned and launched a storming attack against the Texans in the first 30 minutes. Müller was repeatedly the man in demand up front, but the most striking moments initially came from Sabbi , who repeatedly found the net after several short passing sequences, but was also regularly denied by Dallas goalkeeper Collodi .

Müller had his first big moment in the 31st minute, attempting an overhead kick from the edge of the box, but the ball flew too poorly into Collodi's arms. Müller shook himself briefly and created the Whitecaps' next big chance three minutes later with a through ball, but this time Ahmed was left stranded in front of Collodi.

The Dallas goalkeeper was the only player for the visitors to have made an appearance in the first period. But suddenly, Vancouver goalkeeper Takaoka misjudged a long pass and jumped wide, but Kamungo was too hasty in firing from a tight angle and thundered the ball well over the Whitecaps goal. Had he scored, the game would have been completely turned upside down.

But the home side rewarded themselves before halftime. Ahmed had plenty of time to cross on the left wing, finding center forward Rios in the center, who powerfully headed in a well-deserved 1-0 halftime lead (43').

The eye-catching Sabbi opened the second period for Vancouver, but his right-footed shot from eleven meters flew just wide of the far post (57'). But the Whitecaps right winger remained hungry, launching a 30-meter solo run three minutes later before being clumsily checked by Urhoghide in the penalty area, and the referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot – Müller's time had come. Vancouver's captain stepped up and converted confidently to give them a 2-0 lead (60'). After seven goals in seven regular-season matches, the 36-year-old now found the net in the first leg of the playoffs.

The former Bayern player almost set up Ahmed for the 3-0 goal just 120 seconds later, but the attacker volleyed Müller's cross well over Dallas's goal. Müller did the same in the 81st minute with a shot from the edge of the box that slipped off his right foot and landed high in the net.

The disappointing Texans continued to struggle offensively, allowing Vancouver to tame the score. After a throw-in, substitute youngster Elloumi skillfully beat two opponents and found his substitute colleague Cabrera with a low cross, who then slotted home from close range to make it 3-0 (86').

After this convincing victory, which ultimately fell far short, the Vancouver Whitecaps can go into the return match, which will take place in Dallas in just under a week's time on Saturday night, with confidence.