Bayern Munich legend and forever #25 Thomas Müller made his move to the MLS, to then-second-placed Vancouver Whitecaps. The Canadian team from the Western Conference was a side Müller had observed for long before making the inevitable decision to move there.
In the few months he has been there, Thomas Müller transformed a team with mere raw potential into a team with the grit to win trophies. Having won the Canadian Championship and the Western Conference, the only trophy left was the MLS Cup Final
against Eastern Conference champions Inter Miami. David Beckham’s Miami though defeated by the Caps twice this season played with their entire being and won the game 3-1. Here are the observations from the game.
The Caps argument
Within the first twenty minutes, it had become obvious — the Caps simply could not maintain possession. They gave it away cheaply on multiple occasions and were being overrun by Messi and co. Messi in fact, had a shot on target in under three minutes and Miami were already leading by the 8th minute.
Let’s break down that goal. Messi wrestles the ball away from the Caps and carried the ball till he spotted Allende open. Priso gets overrun and Ocampo, as the last man gets the ball but in his attempt to clear it, shoots it directly at his own net, well out of keeper Takaoka’s range.
This in itself is a great example of what the Caps had a problem with — timing.
- Every defensive decision made too late, recovery runs almost always off by a second.
- Every shot on target either taken too early or taken too late.
It did not help matters that the last man often wasn’t very fast. The defenders were left watching helplessly every time a Miami winger or midfielder made a run.
The second and third goals scored by Miami were just instances of the home side being completely in control of the game. They were not the better side throughout, but managed to look dangerous every time they managed to get in possession.
Set pieces were in utter shambles as Sebastian Berhalter simply could not get them right. Give him even the best angles and positions, he still could not make it count.
The instances where the Caps did shine, they looked incredible. Physical, aggressive and so full of energy, the Caps looked willing to be there and fight. Thomas Müller was perhaps the best player on the pitch and though was robbed of multiple assists, still left his mark on the game. The equalizer from the Caps came in, when Sabbi from the right wing, crossed the ball to White, who then passes to Ahmad. Ahmad nets the ball, which takes a deflection and yet finds the back of the net. It was at this part of the game that the Caps looked their best selves.
A solid side with much quality and yet, they simply need so much more tinkering before they’re ready for a game like this.
Inter Miami, the enigma
Clearly not the better side at every instance, and yet they were the most dangerous on the ball. Where Inter Miami wins is in their decision-making and clinicality. They are keen on finding errors in the opponent’s game, using those to turn them into counters.
Messi continues to function at a level well-ahead of players his age. It is clear despite the signs of aging, he still provides quality like no other player.
The Thomas Müller effect
This section is heartbreaking to write, but it has to be said. Müller deserves better than his teammates tonight. For every error they made, for every well-crafted attacking opportunity he gave them which they inevitably blew, the team must genuinely apologize to him.
Here at Vancouver, he’s a one-man army. Recovery runs, midfield battles, and in the final third, there is no place Müller has left untouched. His age shows in his game, but he does not let it deter him. Game intelligence has always been his main asset and it continues to be the same.
Müller has not only made this team better in the footballing side, but also given them the hope that they too can win. There is not a single player who has not benefitted from Müller’s presence and guidance. Take for example, Brian White. The striker has admitted to the fact that it is the Raumdeuter’s presence that has made it easier to score since he acts as a decoy, pulling the defenders away from White. The likes of Cubas, Priso and Gauld have all seen significant improvements in their game and the numbers tell the same story.
But that’s Thomas for you. Not the flashiest player, or the player with the most possession, but the player without whom the team would be worse of. Not the whole engine, but the oil.
If only he could have stayed at Bayern to do the same…
The Mafia wishes Thomas Müller the very best on placing runner-up and hopes to see him lifting a trophy very soon.
