Thomas Müller is ready to return for the Vancouver Whitecaps.
The 37-year-old was a full participant at training on Monday for the first time since suffering a hamstring strain on Oct. 6. He is expected to return to the pitch this week, ahead of the Whitecaps’ final two regular-season home matches, on Wednesday against San Diego and Sunday against Seattle.
MLS Decision Day will have Vancouver playing away at CF Montreal on Saturday, Nov. 7.
How much will Müller play?
Har Johal/Daily Hive
It was hard not to notice Müller during the Whitecaps’ 90-minute session to begin the week. He was a vocal presence, giving out directions to his teammates.
“When I’m chatty, I’m healthy,” Müller told Offside following training.
#VWFC training on a sunny Vancouver morning.
Thomas Müller is fully training.
Sam Adekugbe working off to the side.
Kenji Cabrera working off to the side.
Players from Saturday with a recovery session in the gym⤵️
White, Gauld, Blackmon, Badwal, Takaoka, Ocampo, Caicedo. pic.twitter.com/hN5BwZl5MX
— Har Journalist (@HarJournalist) October 26, 2026
With the playoffs approaching, how much will Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sørensen play Müller?
“That’s what we have to see,” Sørensen said.
Vancouver went 1-2-1 in Müller’s absence, scoring three goals and surrendering three goals.
Big BC Place crowd this weekend
The Whitecaps are expecting a crowd of over 20,000 when they host San Diego, which will mark their 27th consecutive MLS match with a crowd of that size.
Over 30,000 fans are expected on Sunday, as the Whitecaps are opening the BC Place upper bowl for the afternoon affair against Seattle. It will be the seventh time Vancouver has drawn a crowd of at least 25,000 this season. The Whitecaps’ highest MLS attendance was 40,086 on Aug. 1 versus LAFC.
The Whitecaps will be playing in front of their home supporters for the first time since Sept. 26, and Surrey’s Jeevan Badwal wants to deliver for the home fans.
“I know all the boys are really excited,” Badwal said. “Obviously, wins are really needed in this stretch. I think we’ll put on a show for the guys, the community, the fans, everyone. I’m hoping that they bring back the same excitement. It’s big games, and we’re really looking forward to it.”
Sabbi status
The Whitecaps will be without Emmanuel Sabbi this week, and it remains unclear how long he will be out of action. The versatile winger was forced to leave the Whitecaps’ 1-0 loss to Colorado on Saturday after suffering an ankle injury in the first half.
“Sabbi, I don’t know exactly to what extent he will be out,” Sørensen said. “It’s an ankle injury, of course. A high sprain ankle injury. I don’t know for how long. It shouldn’t be that long, hopefully.”
Shifting Bruno Caicedo to the right wing, playing Rui Modesto up high, or potentially moving Badwal over could all be potential options Sørensen considers in Sabbi’s absence.
Andrés Cubas will be unavailable to play against San Diego because of an ankle injury.
There is good news regarding Yadaly Diaby, who departed Saturday’s match at halftime. Sørensen revealed that the Guinean international should be good to go this week.
MLS standings
The Whitecaps sit in first place in the Western Conference with a record of 16-8-7 and 55 points. FC Dallas is just one point behind Vancouver with a record of 15-7-9, with remaining matches against Columbus, Kansas City, and Colorado.
The first MLS playoff seeding tiebreaker is wins, followed by goal differential.
Vancouver’s still on top. (@MLS/X)
Despite the top spot in the West being up for grabs, Sørensen downplayed its importance.
“I care about getting the right feeling of how we play,” Sørensen said. “Last year we didn’t talk much about first place; we were just attacking things. Now we’re talking about maybe defending first place because we’ve had it for a while. I don’t think that’s the right way to see it. We end up where we end up; I don’t care. What I care about is how we play.”
If the Whitecaps can secure top spot, they could start their MLS playoff run at BC Place on Sunday, Nov. 22, following the result of a midweek 8 vs 9 playoff wildcard match.
“It’d be huge,” Brian White told Offside following training on Monday. “Any time you have home field advantage, it’s a big thing. Especially with the kind of support we get at home and not having to travel. Locking up home field advantage would be huge for us.”