Müller scores a hat trick on 36th birthday and Whitecaps clinch a playoff spot with win over Union

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Vancouver Whitecaps' Thomas Muller, center, celebrates with teammates after his goal against the Philadelphia Union during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver Whitecaps' Mathias Laborda, left and Sebastian Berhalter celebrate Laborda's goal against the Philadelphia Union during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP) — Vancouver Whitecaps' Thomas Muller, center, celebrates with teammates after his goal against the Philadelphia Union during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

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12:13 AM on Sunday, September 14

The Associated Press

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Thomas Müller scored a hat trick on his 36th birthday, Rayan Elloumi became the youngest player in Vancouver history to score a regular-season goal at 17 years, 193 days, and the Whitecaps beat the Philadelphia Union 7-0 on Saturday night to clinch a playoff spot.

Vancouver (15-6-7) became the seventh team in MLS history to win a regular-season game by seven goals. The seven goals were also a club record.

Philadelphia (17-7-6) came into the game sitting atop the league standings.

The Whitecaps scored four first-half goals for the first time in their MLS history.

Müller, playing in his third MLS game, converted a pair of first-half penalty kicks and scored on a header late in the second half. He added his first MLS assist midway through the second half on a pass to Emmanuel Sabbi at the top of the penalty area.

Sabbi scored twice for the Whitecaps, who secured a postseason berth for the third year in a row. Mathias Laborda also scored.

Yohei Takaoka stopped two shots to record his MLS-leading 12th clean sheet of the season.

Vancouver played without star striker Brian White, who is recovering from a hamstring injury.

Müller signed with the Whitecaps last month following 17 storied seasons with Bayern Munich.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer