Muller scores, Vancouver Whitecaps open MLS playoffs with 3-0 victory over FC Dallas

By Canadian Press on October 26, 2025.

VANCOUVER — Thomas Muller scored and the Vancouver Whitecaps opened their Major League Soccer playoff run with a dominant 3-0 victory over FC Dallas on Sunday.

Daniel Rios opened the scoring for Vancouver, heading in a cross from Ali Ahmed in the 43rd minute, Muller converted a penalty kick to double the lead in the 60th, and Kenji Cabrera came off the bench to seal the deal in the 83rd minute.

The ‘Caps outshot Dallas 22-0, including a 10-0 advantage in on-target shots.

The Whitecaps finished the regular season second in the Western Conference standings with an 18-7-9 record after falling 2-1 to Dallas in the final game on Oct. 18.

The victory improved Dallas’s record to 11-12-11 and moved the team up to the No. 7 spot, setting up the best-of-three, first-round playoff series with the ‘Caps.

Dallas will host the second game of the matchup on Nov. 1 and, if necessary, Game 3 will be held back at B.C. Place on Nov. 7.

The winner of the series will face the winner of a first-round series between Los Angeles FC and Austin FC.

An animated crowd of 32,066 took in the game, with thousands in the lower bowl waving baby blue and white Whitecaps flags in a wave whenever the home side scored or took a corner kick.

The ‘Caps controlled the vast majority of play from the beginning of Sunday’s game, keeping Dallas from even touching the ball for extended stretches.

Sebastian Berhalter nearly opened the scoring for the home side in the 11th minute, blasting a left-footed shot from the top of the penalty area, only to see Dallas ‘keeper Michael Collodi make the stop.

Vancouver peppered the goalie with chances across the first half, including back-to-back shots in the 31st minute.

Ahmed sent a high ball soaring toward the net and Collodi turned it away, sending the rebound out to Muller. Facing the other end of the field, the German soccer legend went for a bicycle kick, but Collodi once again made the save.

Dallas’s lone chance of the first half came in the 38th minute when Bernard Kamungo got a partial breakaway and sprinted down the field. Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka came off his line to challenge and Kamungo darted in behind, but sent his shot well over the net.

The ‘Caps got a ball past Collodi on their sixth on-target shot of the night when Ahmed floated a cross in to the back post in the 43rd minute. Rios jumped up and headed it in for his fourth goal across all competitions this year.

The assist was Ahmed’s 11th of the campaign.

Vancouver continued its offensive onslaught in the second half.

Sabbi steamed toward the Dallas net with the ball at his feet in the 59th minute and was cut down at the top of the penalty area by Osaze Urhoghide. Referee Victor Rivas was quick to point at the penalty spot.

Muller stepped up to take the kick, slowly approached the ball, then blasted a right-footed shot into the side of the goal as Collodi dove in the opposite direction.

In celebration, he hoisted Sabbi onto his shoulders as they were mobbed by teammates.

The 60th-minute goal was Muller’s ninth across all competitions since joining the ‘Caps in mid August. Six of those tallies came on penalty kicks. The 36-year-old attacking midfielder has also contributed four assists.

Cabrera, who came in for Sabbi in the 76th minute, registered Vancouver’s third goal of the night in the 83rd minute.

Rayan Elloumi worked the ball along the goal line with a Dallas defender pulling on the back of his jersey. Despite the pressure, the 18-year-old Whitecaps academy product got a pass off to Cabrera, who booted a shot in from the top of the six-yard box.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 26, 2025.

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press