Inter Miami suffered a setback in their playoff push with a defeat that saw Lionel Messi unable to convert a penalty, while Vancouver Whitecaps celebrated a stunning victory fueled by a hat trick from German veteran Thomas Müller.
Miami fell to eighth place in the Eastern Conference with 46 points, 11 behind leaders Philadelphia Union despite having three games in hand. The match saw Charlotte take control of the defence against Miami and Toklomati. Toklomati ultimately scored a hat trick, including a goal from the penalty spot in the 84th minute, after Inter was reduced to ten men with the 80th-minute expulsion of Tomás Avilés for a second yellow card. Earlier, Argentine Tadeo Allende had a one-on-one chance saved by Kahlina in the 73rd minute.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Union, already qualified for the playoffs, endured a heavy 7-0 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps.Müller, celebrating his 36th birthday, spearheaded the Whitecaps’ attack, converting two penalties in the 29th and 45+1 minutes and adding a header in the 88th. “We cannot be unfair and grab us from the prison, if there is someone who helped us win in the season,” said the Jife, seemingly referencing team loyalty amidst the results. Vancouver’s win secured their place in the MLS qualifiers, set to begin on October 22.
Elsewhere, Heung-min Son scored in just 54 seconds for Los Angeles FC in their 4-2 win over San Jose Earthquakes, marking the third-fastest goal in LAFC regular season history. Denis Bouanga also notched a hat trick for LAFC, tying carlos Vela as the club’s all-time leading scorer with 93 goals. Columbus Crew also saw a hat trick, courtesy of Diego Rossi in their 5-4 victory against Atlanta United, a game that included a penalty conceded by Paraguayan miguel Almirón.
