North America is a completely different sporting environment from Europe – a fact that hasn’t been lost on the continent’s newest superstar, of the Vancouver Whitecaps.
“Here in North America, I know that the playoffs are much more important than the regular season, so we are hoping we can get on a run of form at just the right time and once again electrify the soccer fans of Vancouver,” Müller told DW in a media roundtable this week.
The “once again” referred to 1979, the last time the Whitecaps were North American champions.
On the pitch, he could hardly have got off to a better start. Having had a cracker of a goal called back for offside on his debut in a 1-1 draw against Houston, Müller scored the winner from the penalty spot on the final whistle to give the Whitecaps a crucial victory over St. Louis in his first start in blue and white – while wearing the captain’s armband.
Double-edged sword
Beyond the field of play, Müller admitted he is still adjusting to life in British Columbia, but that he was determined to integrate himself as quickly as possible. This makes the presence of former Hamburg defender Sebastian Schonlau in the squad something of a double-edged sword. While mindful of the need to avoid falling into his “comfort zone” of speaking German with his compatriot, Müller also admits that “maybe it’s good to be able to run my jokes past someone who understands them.”
“I still have to translate one or two jokes into Canadian-English,” he added.
Half a century of history
While North America’s soccer history is nothing compared to that of or plenty of other European clubs, it does exist. Most of the world may have heard about the Whitecaps for the first time in the past few weeks, but they have been around for more than half a century.
The Whitecaps are one of just four Major League Soccer teams to have carried their original name from mid 1970s, through to today, the others being the Seattle Sounders, the Portland Timbers and the San Jose Earthquakes.
Legally, the Whitecaps are not the same entity as the North American Soccer League (NASL) champions of 1979. However, one can trace the current club back to the NASL Whitecaps, founded in 1973, through to the MLS Whitecaps – particularly through key personalities. Bobby Lenarduzzi was the club’s president when it joined MLS in 2011, and Carl Valentine is now a club ambassador. Both were members of the 1979 Soccer Bowl-winning team.
Homework done
Asked what he knew about the Whitecaps history, Thomas Müller confirmed that he had indeed met both men and done his homework back home in Munich.
“I watched a documentary about the club’s history. It was only about 20 minutes long, but I learned about the great story of 1979 and how “the village” relished the chance to stick it to the Big Apple [the Whitecaps beat the New York Cosmos in the semifinals],” Müller told DW.
The “village” refers to what was taken by Vancouverites as a derogatory remark about their city by an American TV reporter in the opening sequence to the Soccer Bowl broadcast.
“I can tell you that Vancouver is certainly not just a village,” Müller said. “Vancouver is now a city with a strong profile internationally.”
‘This is Canada, not the USA’
If there had been any doubt about Müller’s commitment to his new team, this had already been erased in his first answer of the video call.
“Stop, stop!” Müller said.
“, this is Canada, not the USA,” he stressed after a reporter had referred to him as being located in the United States.
It was a response that would have warmed the heart of any Canadian football fan, particularly at a time when the with its southern neighbor – whose president repeatedly states his intention to annex the Great White North.
Eye on the prize
Soon, Müller hopes to do more than warm the hearts of Whitecaps fans. As the winner of the , the Champions League and 13 titles (the most of any player), Müller is focused on bringing the main prize to Vancouver – it would be the club’s first MLS Cup.
For now though, Müller, who – once the deal was done earlier this month – left Germany at the drop of a hat, is planning to use the upcoming international break to return to Munich to pick up some more clothes.
“Then I’ll be ready for the final stretch of the season.”
Edited by: Jonathan Harding
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