The Western Conference semifinal will decide whether Son Heung-min or Thomas Müller advances when LAFC faces the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place on November 22 at 6:30 p.m. (PT). The match is a single-elimination playoff, and neither team enters with a clear advantage.
Last season, LAFC led the head-to-head series with four wins, one draw, and one loss in six meetings. This year, Vancouver holds the upper hand with one win and one draw. Both clubs changed significantly after August 6, when LAFC signed Son Heung-min from Tottenham Hotspur and Vancouver added Thomas Müller from Bayern Munich. Each transfer altered the tactical structure of the respective teams.
BC Place, which holds more than 50,000 fans, is sold out for the match, according to the Whitecaps. LAFC forward Denis Bouanga said on November 20 that he does not view Vancouver as a major rival and added, “I heard the stadium will be full, and that kind of atmosphere makes you even more motivated to win.”
Son and Bouanga form one of the most difficult attacking duos in MLS. Bouanga has 26 goals this season, while Son has produced 10 goals and 4 assists over his last 12 matches, including playoff games. Vancouver, however, is in strong form as well, finishing second in the regular season, the best year in club history. Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, selected to the MLS Best XI, anchors the midfield, and Müller has added creativity and finishing power.
The tactical battle may hinge on transition play. LAFC depends on Son’s wide movement and Bouanga’s runs into the box, while Vancouver relies on Müller’s timing and Berhalter’s control of tempo.
The meeting between Son and Müller is another key storyline. The two players have faced each other nine times in their careers. Son’s only win came at the 2018 Russia World Cup, when Korea defeated Germany 2–0. Now they meet again in an MLS single-match playoff that will end one of their seasons.
MLS will introduce two changes next year. To prepare for the 2026 World Cup in North America, the league will pause play from late May to mid-July, reducing interruptions from international call-ups. Apple also announced that beginning next season, all MLS matches will be available through a standard Apple TV subscription without requiring a separate MLS Season Pass purchase.
BY YOONJAE JUNG [jung.yoonjae@koreadaily.com]
