Photo Gallery: Thomas Muller’s Major League Soccer debut

Thomas Muller’s Major League Soccer debut was almost perfect.

Almost.

The German soccer icon came off the bench for the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday and put the ball into the back of the net just minutes later.

Then the offside flag went up.

“I think the moment when I scored the goal was amazing. The noise in the stadium and then also the reaction of my teammates, that was a great start for me,” Muller said. “In the end, the result was a little bit disappointing. But that’s the game. That’s the game.”

The Whitecaps (13-6-7) settled for a 1-1 draw with the Houston Dynamo (7-11-8).

Muller signed with the Whitecaps on Aug. 6 after playing 17 seasons for Bayern in the German Bundesliga. There, he became a household name, scoring 250 goals across all competitions and helping the club to 33 titles, including 13 league championships.

Here is a look at some scenes from Muller’s MLS debut.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 18, 2025.

Vancouver Whitecaps’ Thomas Muller (13) waves as he exits the pitch after an MLS soccer match against the Houston Dynamo in Vancouver, on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Vancouver Whitecaps’ Thomas Muller runs with the ball against the Houston Dynamo during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Vancouver Whitecaps’ Thomas Muller (13) leaves the pitch after an MLS soccer match against the Houston Dynamo in Vancouver, on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Vancouver Whitecaps’ Thomas Muller (13) speaks with referee Jon Freeman after his goal against the Houston Dynamo was disallowed during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Houston Dynamo’s Junior Urso, left. Pablo Ortiz, right, and Vancouver Whitecaps’ Thomas Muller (13) vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Vancouver Whitecaps’ Thomas Muller, centre, is subbed in against the Houston Dynamo during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Vancouver Whitecaps’ Thomas Muller (13) celebrates after his goal against the Houston Dynamo which was disallowed during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Houston Dynamo’s Junior Urso (30) and Vancouver Whitecaps’ Thomas Muller (13) vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Vancouver Whitecaps’ Thomas Muller (13) yells to his team during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Houston Dynamo in Vancouver, on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Vancouver Whitecaps’ Thomas Muller (13) runs for the ball against the Houston Dynamo during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Vancouver Whitecaps’ Thomas Muller (13) and Houston Dynamo’s Pablo Ortiz (22) vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

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