Thomas Muller Explodes for Historic MLS Hat-Trick, Shatters Multiple Records in Wild Performance
Thomas Müller delivered a commanding performance for Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday evening, netting a hat-trick in a dominant 7–0 victory against the Supporters' Shield-leading Philadelphia Union.
This contributed to a historic evening in Major League Soccer, with all 30 league teams competing within a five-hour window, creating an unprecedented 15-match day that surpasses any other top-tier league globally.
For Müller, the occasion held extra significance—celebrating his 36th birthday. With his three-goal display, he established himself as the first player in league history to achieve a regular-season hat-trick on his birthday.
He wasn't alone in finding the net, however, as LAFC's Denis Bouanga, Columbus Crew SC's Diego Rossi and Charlotte FC's Idan Toklomati all registered hat-tricks, making Saturday the inaugural quadruple hat-trick matchday in Major League Soccer's three-decade existence.
Simultaneously, 57 goals were tallied across the 15-game schedule, matching the record for most goals on a single MLS matchday, previously established on Aug. 6, 2022, when the league featured two fewer teams.
Thomas Müller—Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Müller converted two spot-kicks and added a late header in the Whitecaps' 7–0 demolition of the Union, elevating his tally to four goals and two assists across three MLS appearances. The victory represented Vancouver's biggest triumph since entering MLS in 2011, while also marking the most goals Philadelphia have allowed in a single fixture.
The newly-turned 36-year-old's parents attended the match, and he humorously noted they had come for the game rather than his birthday, stating, "I told my parents first of all, I don't have a birthday, I have a match day."
"I received numerous [birthday] messages, including from Germany throughout the day. I spoke with several friends, and they all encouraged me to find the net, which is exactly what we accomplished."
Denis Bouanga—LAFC
LAFC secured a 4–2 victory over California rivals the San Jose Earthquakes before more than 50,000 spectators at San Francisco's Levi's Stadium. Following his hat-trick for Gabon against Seychelles in African World Cup qualifying, Denis Bouanga struck three times against the Earthquakes, matching Carlos Vela's LAFC all-time scoring record at 93 goals.
He also equaled Vela's club record for multi-goal performances, reaching 13.
His season total now stands at 18 goals, and he aims to score at least two more in LAFC's remaining seven fixtures to become the first MLS player to reach 20 goals in three consecutive campaigns.
Idan Toklomati—Charlotte FC
Idan Toklomati converted a penalty and added two additional goals to guide Charlotte FC to a 3–0 triumph over Inter Miami, securing a 2025 MLS Cup Playoff spot. The result pushed the club's winning streak to nine consecutive matches, matching the 2018 Seattle Sounders FC for the longest in MLS history, excluding the shootout era.
Diego Rossi—Columbus Crew SC
Columbus Crew SC featured in the most dramatic contest of the weekend, building a 5–0 advantage over Atlanta United before conceding four consecutive goals, ultimately claiming all three points in a thrilling 5–4 victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Rossi completed his hat-trick within the opening 40 minutes, taking his season statistics to 16 goals and four assists.