Muller’s first MLS aim lifts Whitecaps to comeback win over St. Louis Metropolis
Thomas Muller scored on a penalty kick late in damage time, lifting his Vancouver Whitecaps to a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over St. Louis Metropolis SC on Saturday.
Brian White additionally transformed a PK for Vancouver (14-6-7), whereas Daniel Rios got here off the bench so as to add a aim off of a set play within the 79th minute.
Eduard Lowen and Joao Klauss scored for St. Louis (5-16-6).
Muller acquired his first Main League Soccer begin and wore the pink captain’s armband for Vancouver.
The 35-year-old attacking midfielder signed with the membership earlier this month and made his debut in final week’s 1-1 draw with the visiting Houston Dynamo.
Vancouver’s defence acquired off to a shaky begin Saturday with a number of turnovers that gave Metropolis ample possibilities early.
The guests capitalized within the 14th minute when Conrad Wallem despatched a blistering cross into the entrance of the world and Lowen used his head to direct it in previous Whitecaps ‘keeper Yohei Takaoka for a 1-0 lead.
The ‘Caps got here near levelling the rating within the twenty seventh minute off a nook. Sebastian Berhalter despatched the ball into the world and it landed close to Emmanuel Sabbi, who launched a rocket that pinged off the skin of the publish.
One other set play seemed promising for the house facet within the forty third. Berhalter took one more nook, swinging the ball into the six-yard field. This time, Muller acquired a shot off, placing a header simply broad of the woodwork.
A penalty in first-half damage time proved to be the break the house facet wanted.
St. Louis midfielder Chris Durkin tripped up Tristan Blackmon inside the world and referee Fotis Bazakos pointed to the penalty spot. Dialogue ensued and a video evaluation confirmed the decision.
White stepped as much as take the kick and despatched a shot into the underside of the web as St. Louis goalkeeper Roman Burki dove in the other way.
The aim — White’s 14th in MLS this season — knotted the rating at 2-2.
The American striker has 20 targets throughout all competitors this season, equalling the profession excessive he achieved final 12 months. He is additionally scored in his final 4 appearances.
The Whitecaps managed 54.8 per cent of possession by way of the primary half and outshot Metropolis 7-5. On-target pictures have been even at 2-2.
Vancouver got here out of the locker room able to assault and fired off 5 pictures throughout the first 10 minutes of the second half.
Sabbi got here shut within the forty sixth minute with a shot from the highest of the penalty space, however Burki got here up with the cease. 9 minutes later, White despatched a shot simply over the crossbar from above the six-yard field.
However it was St. Louis which struck subsequent.
Sang Bin Jeong made an enormous run up the sector and dished off to Klauss, who turned inside the world and despatched a left-footed shot rolling in previous Takaoka to provide the guests a 2-1 lead within the 73rd minute.
Rios got here off the bench and drew Vancouver even as soon as once more minutes later off of a free kick. Within the 79th minute, Berhalter floated a ball in from close to the nook flag and Rios popped up from the gang to tick it in off his head.
The Mexican striker got here on for White within the 77th minute.
Followers within the stands acquired to their toes 10 minutes into damage time after Vancouver defender Mathias Laborda fell to the turf after getting clipped within the penalty space.
Bazakos paused play and took a protracted look on a video monitor earlier than awarding the ‘Caps one other penalty kick.
Muller took the ball from Burki and the gang pulled out their telephones to movie the following kick.
Muller ran towards the ball, stutter-stepped, then despatched it up and in for his first strike in MLS play within the 14th minute of damage time.
White left the sport after falling to the turf within the 74th minute, clutching the again of his left leg. … A sold-out crowd of 26,031 took within the recreation at B.C. Place, together with Florida Panthers’ winger Sam Reinhart, who was proven on the large display earlier than kick-off. … Sebastian Schonlau was on Vancouver’s bench. The German centre again signed with the ‘Caps on Thursday.
The Whitecaps host the Philadelphia Union on Sept. 13. St. Louis will entertain the Houston Dynamo on Aug. 30.
