Thomas Mueller stepped onto a Major League Soccer field for the first time Sunday, entering as a second-half substitute for the Vancouver Whitecaps. He found the net—but the offside flag erased the moment, leaving the German great to settle for a 1-1 draw with the Houston Dynamo and what he called “mixed feelings.”
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German great Mueller has goal ruled out on MLS debut for Vancouver
Photo by Greenevillesun
Key Takeaways:
- German star Thomas Mueller made his MLS debut on Sunday.
- He came on as a second-half substitute for the Vancouver Whitecaps.
- Vancouver and the Houston Dynamo played to a 1-1 draw.
- Mueller had a potential winner disallowed for offside.
- The forward left the match describing his emotions as “mixed.”
A Star Lands in Vancouver
Thomas Mueller, one of Germany’s most decorated forwards, checked in after halftime for the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday, marking his first appearance in Major League Soccer. Supporters at BC Place greeted the World Cup winner with a roar, eager to see how his European pedigree might translate on North American turf.
Disallowed in a Flash
Minutes into his cameo, Mueller thought he had delivered the decisive moment. A quick move inside the box ended with the ball in Houston’s net—only for the assistant referee’s flag to rise. Offside. “Mixed feelings,” Mueller admitted afterward; the jubilation of scoring dissolved as quickly as it had sparked.
Scoreline Stays Level
The decision held, and the match wound down to a 1-1 stalemate. Neither the Whitecaps nor the Dynamo could find a late breakthrough, leaving both clubs to share the points and the Vancouver crowd to wonder what might have been had the linesman’s call gone the other way.
Match Snapshot
| Team | Goals | Notable Moment |
|———————|——-|———————————-|
| Vancouver Whitecaps | 1 | Mueller’s disallowed strike (offside) |
| Houston Dynamo | 1 | — |
Mixed Emotions, Unfinished Business
For Mueller, the debut offered promise tempered by frustration. His first official MLS goal remains on hold, but Sunday’s cameo hinted at more drama to come. As the season progresses, Vancouver’s newest marquee signing will have fresh chances to turn near-misses into decisive moments.
