Thomas Muller Fulfills Outrageous Whitecaps Promise in Spectacular MLS Season Opener

Thomas Müller playfully guaranteed that Vancouver Whitecaps would emerge victorious before the team's 2026 MLS season kickoff against Real Salt Lake on Saturday—and he delivered on his bold prediction.

The 36-year-old Müller is experiencing his first complete MLS campaign with Vancouver following his role in guiding the team to the 2025 Western Conference championship and the 2025 MLS Cup final appearance.

Facing their Western Conference rivals to begin the new campaign, Müller confidently told MLS on Apple TV that "for sure we are winning tonight," adding that he "hopes [he] can laugh about it in two hours or three hours."

After 90 minutes of action, the Whitecaps claimed a season-opening victory, with newcomer AZ Jackson netting the decisive goal in a 1–0 triumph over Salt Lake before more than 23,000 spectators at BC Place. 

AZ starts the play. AZ finishes the play. 😏

Vancouver leads 1-0. pic.twitter.com/yIl4IAqPAA

While Müller didn't register on the scoresheet, he created an early opportunity that struck the post and played a crucial role in helping the Whitecaps maintain offensive pressure to preserve their advantage. 

For Vancouver supporters, the victory provided a vital confidence boost, as the organization faces uncertainty regarding its stadium agreement and future prospects, while confronting the possibility of relocation as early as 2027.

Before the match began, fans displayed a banner declaring: "The club means so much to so many, the Whitecaps belong in Vancouver,"—sending a direct message to the organization, municipal authorities and MLS regarding the significance of North America's longest-established soccer franchise to the city and its community. 

"This club means so much to so many"
"The Whitecaps belong to Vancouver"

The banners unveiled by Vancouver Whitecaps fans amid uncertainty over their future in the city. #VWFC #MLS

📸 Ali Arabpour/TrueNorthFoot pic.twitter.com/2fX1PZmwp2

On the pitch, the Whitecaps continued their positive momentum. They appeared to maintain their 2025 form as they set their sights on ambitious objectives, including MLS, Concacaf Champions Cup, Canadian Championship and Leagues Cup success throughout 2026. 

"I think it was a very good win for us," manager Jesper Sørensen commented after the match. "It was not the prettiest, but it was a very, very good win. And I can never talk about the player's mentality—it's always excellent. But the rhythm of play, we struggled a little bit right now, but we'll find it."

Müller Dismisses Preseason Significance

Müller Dismisses Preseason Significance 

Müller's arrival at the Whitecaps and entry into MLS occurred rapidly in 2025, embracing the sprint to the MLS Cup playoffs and the intensity of postseason competition, which ended with a defeat to Inter Miami in MLS Cup. 

However, the German star indicated he didn't find the transition challenging. He also questioned the preseason's potential value for him, despite it providing a complete offseason to refresh and recuperate, unlike the swift transition from Bayern's 2024-25 season to Vancouver's 2025 campaign. 

"To be honest, for me it was not that difficult to join the team, I cannot really say that a full preseason is a better thing than joining a team the last four or five months," Müller explained. "When I look back, I think a preseason was not really necessary to have great success."

Thomas Müller guarantees a win on MLS Countdown 😏 pic.twitter.com/8fKer0lGpa

Although he may not recognize the significance of preseason preparation for himself—the Whitecaps conducted most of it in Marbella, Spain, alongside several other MLS teams—the benefit to the squad and new acquisitions remains clear to the 2014 World Cup champion. 

"I hope that we can build it up right early in the season on what we already created last year, but you never know," he continued. "It's always new. Some new players are here, some have left. I'm a little bit excited, kind of nervous, but that's good."

Having secured their opening victory of the season, the Whitecaps now focus on completing their first round of the Concacaf Champions Cup against Costa Rica's C.S. Cartaginés on Wednesday, before hosting Canadian competitors Toronto FC at BC Place for the second week of MLS competition.