Vancouver Whitecaps beat Orlando City 2–1 at Inter&Co Stadium thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Thomas Müller, in a match that felt like two completely different games. The win sent the Canadian side back to the top of the MLS Western Conference, extended their unbeaten streak since the German’s arrival, and reinforced their identity as a team that doesn’t panic when it falls behind.
They’ve scored 93 goals this season, their best mark since 1974, and recorded eight away wins, another club record. Those numbers tell part of the story, but the way the match unfolded says even more: this is a confident, battle-tested team that’s making history one game at a time.
Orlando strikes early but can’t hold on
The scoring opened in the 25th minute with Dagur Dan Thorhallsson. The defender brought down a chest pass from Duncan McGuire and finished with his right foot from inside the box, leaving goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka no chance. The play started with a curling cross from Martín Ojeda that set it all up. Even with several players away on international duty, Orlando made the most of its first real chance.
The Whitecaps responded by creating their own looks through Thomas Müller and Daniel Ríos. Müller forced a big save from Pedro Gallese in the 10th minute with a shot from the top of the box, and Ríos was brought down before he could get his attempt away. Ocampo whipped in two dangerous crosses looking for Emmanuel Sabbi, but Orlando’s defense cleared the danger. Vancouver spent much of that stretch on the front foot but went into halftime trailing.
Vancouver turns up the pressure and flips the game
Vancouver came out after the break pressing harder and piling on the chances. Ocampo nearly leveled it with a cross that deflected off a defender and smashed against the crossbar. Moments later, Müller went for an acrobatic bicycle kick that missed by inches. JC Ngando came off the bench and fired from distance, forcing another save from Gallese. The pressure finally paid off in the 81st minute when Berhalter blasted a shot off the post and Nelson Pierre was there to bundle the rebound into the net off his thigh. With the match tied, the Whitecaps kept control and came close again through Ryan Gauld and Berhalter.
In stoppage time, Müller received the ball at the top of the box and drilled it low into the right corner, sealing the 2–1 comeback and three massive points. Since Müller joined, the team has posted 7 wins and 3 draws. They’ve also earned 11 points this season in matches where the opponent scored first, a stat that underlines their ability to fight back.
The result puts Vancouver back on top of the West for the first time since June 25.