Muller’s penalty kick salvages draw for Whitecaps vs. Los Angeles FC

VANCOUVER — Thomas Muller scored on a penalty kick late in the second half as the Vancouver Whitecaps battled back for a 1-1 draw with Los Angeles FC in a Major League Soccer game Saturday.

Son Heung-min scored for LAFC in the 37th minute.

Muller’s goal came in the 76th minute after he was hauled down in the box by defender Yevhen Cheberko. The big midfielder calmly struck the ball into an open side of the net.

The Whitecaps (10-3-4) and LAFC (10-5-4) remain tied for the Western Conference lead with 34 points apiece, albeit the San Jose Earthquakes are only a point back. San Jose was playing in Cincinnati on Friday in a game delayed by a storm.

The Whitecaps controlled most of the opening half, but Heung-min’s goal gave LAFC the lead at halftime.

Left wing Denis Bouanga started the play by intercepting a Whitecaps pass and moved the ball into Vancouver’s zone. He flipped a pass to Heung-min, who spun and fired a shot into the short side of the net past the outstretched fingers of goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka.

Heung-min soaked up the cheers of a large Korean contingent in the crowd.

A crowd of 40,086 watched the Whitecaps play their first game at BC Place Stadium since April 25th. The Whitecaps were forced on the road while the stadium hosted seven FIFA World Cup matches.

It was also the first time the two teams played since the Whitecaps defeated LAFC in the 2025 Western Conference semifinals.

The Whitecaps had several early chances. Midfielder Andres Cubas put a shot on net in the second minute, then centre back Mathias Laborda directed a header over top of the goal in the seventh minute.

Striker Brian White tested goaltender Hugo Lloris in the 16th minute. White intercepted a pass deep in the L.A. end then fired a low, hard shot that Lloris stopped.

White thought he had scored in the 27th minute but the goal was called back on an offside, bring a chorus of boos from the fans.

The Whitecaps threatened again in the second half. Centre back Tristan Blackmon earned a free kick in the 59th minute after being fouled at the top of the box. Vancouver did a little razzle dazzle but Muller’s shot from the centre of the box was blocked by forward Jacob Shaffelburg, a member of Canada’s national soccer team who played at the World Cup.

Muller had another chance in the 69th minute but sent his shot over top of the net.

Los Angeles: Hosts Chivas de Guadalajara in Leagues Cup (Phase 1) on Wednesday.

Whitecaps: Host Atlante FC of Mexico City in Leagues Cup (Phase 1) on Tuesday.