Vancouver Whitecaps take early lead but settle for a draw after late equalizer from Houston in Müller debut

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC/ X

The Vancouver Whitecaps were back in MLS action this Sunday, August 17, 2025 after a brief trip to Ontario for the 2025 Telus Canadian Championship. The Whitecaps were looking for a win to close in on the top spot of the Western Conference standings, but had to settle for one point from a 1-1 draw against the Houston Dynamo FC.

Brian White got the Whitecaps the early 1-0 lead off a penalty kick in the 6’. This goal marks White’s nineteenth goal of the season across all competitions. He is now one shy of his career high of 20. 

Another hunt is underway as White is now 4 goals away from equalling Jason Jordan and 5 goals away from equalling John Catliff in goals for VWFC across all competitions. Already this season, White has overtaken Carl Valentine in this category.

The home team held onto the lead throughout the first half and had a late push to try to double their lead. In the 45’, Jayden Nelson, had a great chance, but hit the outside of the left post, putting his shot wide. 

The Whitecaps weren’t done yet, as in the 3’ of extra time they had a great sequence of opportunities. White started this off by getting a shot off that the Houston Dynamo goalkeeper saved. The ball was still available and Nelson attempted to get it, but couldn’t. Sabbi was there right after and got a shot off that hit the crossbar and put the ball over the net. The score at the end of the first half was 1-0 in favour the the Whitecaps

At the half, Bjørn Utvik came on to replace Tristan Blackmon who left the match with a mild knee injury. After the game, head coach Jesper Sørensen commented that he did not think it was too serious.

The second half started off strong for the Whitecaps and they got a few chances to try to get a comfort goal. As play went on the crowd was getting more excited as time came closer for new Whitecaps player, Thomas Müller, to substitute on.

In the 61’, the time finally came and Müller took to the pitch for the first time at BC Place in a Whitecaps jersey, and his impact was immediately noticeable. In the 64’, Müller had the sold out crowd of 26,031 people on their feet cheering as he put the ball in the back of the net, appearing to get his first goal in his first match as a Whitecaps and securing the Whitecaps their cushion goal. However this goal was quickly taken back due to an offside call, keeping the score 1-0.

Ali Ahmed also substituted into the game in the 61’, marking his return from injury to the Whitecaps lineup.

In the 84’, the Whitecaps got a corner kick, leading to another series of chances. Sebastian Berhalter took the kick and Mathias Laborda got a shot that missed followed by a shot by Daniel Ríos that also missed. Berhalter then took his own shot that was blocked by a Dynamo player.

Just as regular time of  the second half was coming to a close and we were entering extra time, the Dynamo scored the equalizer. The goal was just inside the left post out of Yohei Takaoka’s reach.

Kenji Cabrera was the Whitecaps final substitution of the game, making his home debut in the 1’ of extra time.

The final minutes of extra time brought a lot of excitement as the Whitecaps applied some late pressure. The 2 new players, Müller and Cabrera, showed chemistry as Cabrera got a nice pass through a couple Dynamo up to Müller, who was shoved off the ball and onto the field. No foul was called much to the dismay of the fans at BC Place.

The Whitecaps are back in action for their last home game of the month, on Saturday, August 23. Sørensen notes that if training goes well this week, Müller could be a part of the Whitecaps starting 11 in this match.