Thomas Muller set to make Vancouver Whitecaps debut vs. Houston Dynamo

New Vancouver Whitecaps player Thomas Muller poses with his jersey during a news conference in Vancouver, on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

VANCOUVER — German soccer legend Thomas Muller will step onto the field as a Vancouver Whitecap for the first time this weekend.

Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sorensen confirmed after training on Friday that the team’s latest acquisition will be on the roster when Vancouver hosts the Houston Dynamo on Sunday.

“He will be in the squad and he will be on the pitch. For how long, we’re going to find out,” Soresen said. “Everyone’s excited, everyone wants to go. But we also have to be aware that we have to do the right thing.”

Muller, 35, trained with the ‘Caps (13-6-6) for the first time on Friday, more than a week after signing with the Major League Soccer club.

Rain poured down throughout the session, giving him a true taste of Vancouver.

“There’s a good energy in the team. You can feel it on the pitch that the group is together, they enjoy to improve,” Muller said after training.

“Normal group of very good football players enjoying training sessions. Even if the Vancouver weather kicks in today.”

The attacking midfielder comes to Vancouver following 17 seasons with Bayern Munich in the German Bundesliga. He scored 250 goals across all competitions, helping the club to 33 titles, including 13 league championships.

Muller has also excelled in international play, winning the 2014 World Cup with Germany and taking home the Golden Boot from the 2010 World Cup after notching five goals and three assists.

Having that level of a player in training is “exciting,” said Whitecaps midfielder Ali Ahmed.

“Someone like him, with his background and experience, he’s a serial winner, just knows how to play the game. One of the best to play the game, one of the best clubs in the world,” he said.

“For him to come here to Vancouver, great for the club. And not even the club, but some of the younger players and even more experienced players playing with a player of his profile.”

Muller joins a ‘Caps team that has hovered near the top of the Major League Soccer standings all year.

While the club currently sits second in the Western Conference, injuries have slowly whittled away the starting lineup.

Defenders Sam Adekugbe (Achilles) and Ranko Veselinovic (knee) are both out for the rest of the season with injuries, while captain Ryan Gauld continues to recover from the sprain knee cap he suffered back on March 8.

Striker Brian White left the first leg of Vancouver’s Canadian Championship semifinal series on Wednesday with hamstring tightness. Whether he’ll be fit to play on Sunday remains to be seen, Sorensen said.

Ahmed could return to the lineup, though, after missing nearly two months with the sprained ankle he suffered while playing for Canada in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

The 24-year-old Toronto native said he would “hopefully” play on Sunday.

The Whitecaps are coming off a 2-2 draw against Canadian Premier League side Forge FC in Canadian Championship play on Wednesday.

The Dynamo (7-11-7) haven’t played since last Saturday when they fought their way back to earn a 2-2 draw against Austin FC.

With just nine games to go in their regular-season schedule, though, Houston remains four points below the playoff bar.

The Whitecaps expect the Dynamo to come in hungry and motivated, Ahmed said.

“They’re a good team. They’re fighting to get into the playoffs this year,” he said.

“We know it won’t be an easy game. We know everything surrounding that game. But I think we’re all still very much locked in on winning and picking up three points.”

HOUSTON DYNAMO (7-11-7) AT VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (13-6-6)

Sunday, B.C. Place

HISTORY BOOKS: The Whitecaps hold an 11-9-6 in all-time meetings with the Dynamo. The most recent matchup saw Vancouver take a 3-0 victory in Houston back on July 16.

NEW DIGITS: Vancouver midfielder Ralph Priso will be sporting a new number on Sunday. The Canadian gave up his No. 13 to Muller and will instead wear No. 6. To thank him, Muller gifted Priso some traditional Bavarian lederhosen.

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: Playing at B.C. Place has been a strength for the ‘Caps this season. Vancouver is 7-2-2 at home and already has more home wins than all of last season (6-7-4).

This report by Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press, was first published Aug. 15, 2025.