'The nightmare' of Messi officially debuts in MLS

Thomas Muller made his MLS debut, coming off the bench in Vancouver's draw against Houston Dynamo.

The Vancouver Whitecaps fans welcomed Thomas Müller at the packed BC Place stadium, where he officially debuted in MLS during the 1-1 draw with Houston Dynamo.

More than 27,000 fans witnessed Müller's first match for a club outside Bayern Munich, as he was substituted in at the 60th minute. Previously, the Whitecaps had taken the lead 1-0 thanks to a successful penalty by USMNT forward Brian White in the 6th minute, and Müller's arrival immediately revitalized the home team's offense.

At 35 years old, Müller started in a deep-lying playmaker role and quickly engaged in the gameplay, effectively linking up with White and Sebastian Berhalter, the midfield conductor. Just minutes after coming on, Müller made his mark with a beautiful left-footed shot from the edge of the box that beat goalkeeper Jonathan Bond in the 65th minute. However, the goal was disallowed due to White being offside in the buildup, leaving Müller and thousands of fans disappointed.

Nevertheless, the veteran German midfielder remained undeterred. He continued to combine well with White before Daniel Ríos replaced the American teammate in the 76th minute. Müller also actively sought to connect with Jayden Nelson, Kenji Cabrera, and advanced midfielders like Berhalter or Cubas with precise through balls. Not only did he leave an attacking imprint, but Müller also pressed vigorously, intercepting opponent passes and even executing a fierce tackle to regain possession on the artificial turf.

Unfortunately, the Whitecaps conceded a goal in stoppage time of the second half. Nevertheless, Müller remained a bright spot, playing a transitional role, delivering several through balls to Ali Ahmed and Ríos that were not converted into goals. In his 31 minutes on the field, he had 27 touches, 5 passes into the opponent's third, and 4 recoveries. The heat map showed Müller covering a wide area of the attacking and midfield zones, continuously exploiting the spaces left by Houston.

Messi reunites with the "greatest nightmare" of his career

Thomas Müller's presence in MLS promises many exciting moments, especially as he was once a "nightmare" for Lionel Messi. From Barcelona's 0-4 defeat to Bayern Munich in the 2013 Champions League, the pain of the 2014 World Cup final in Argentina's colors, to the historic shock of 2-8 in 2020, Müller has always been a true "grim reaper."

With his intelligent playing style, composure, and ability to shine in big matches, Müller has repeatedly caused Messi and his teams to suffer defeats. Therefore, their reunion in MLS not only evokes unforgettable memories but also promises to be one of the most captivating focal points for football fans.

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