Vancouver Whitecaps stormed to a 4-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes to go level on points with San Diego FC at the top of the MLS Western Conference.
The Whitecaps are one of four teams still in with a chance of topping the West, setting up a grandstand finish to the regular season.
Josef Martinez saw an early shot cleared off the line for San Jose, but it was all Vancouver after that, with Rayan Elloumi giving them the lead six minutes before half-time after meeting Sebastian Berhalter's delivery.
Muller then doubled their lead just before the hour, with a pinpoint strike into the bottom-left corner of the net.
Berhalter scored two stunning long-range efforts; his first dipped into the top-right corner and the second went in off the inside of the post, with San Jose's consolation from substitute Beau Leroux's consolation sandwiched between them.
Vancouver's victory also means that Portland Timbers and Austin FC's automatic playoff places were confirmed with a game to spare, with the 'Quakes still in with a chance of making it to the play-in round.
BIG DUB AT HOME
— X – Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) October 6, 2025
Next home match, 'Caps battle FC Dallas on Decision Day on Oct 18! https://t.co/7oDmbT9gc3#VWFC x @BMO pic.twitter.com/Mo6WDbp5mZ
Los Angeles FC also kept their hopes of earning top spot in the West alive as they recorded their fifth straight win with a 1-0 victory over Atlanta United.
LAFC were dominant throughout, but it took a late Denis Bouanga goal to separate the sides, with their striker netting the winner in the 86th minute.
Bouanga, on his 100th MLS appearance, latched onto a poor clearance in the box, guiding his low finish through Jayden Hibbert's legs.
Data Debrief: Back on track
Vancouver are now unbeaten in their last seven MLS outings, a run that started after a 2-1 defeat to the 'Quakes in early August.
While Berhalter will get the plaudits after his three goal involvements, Muller's strike means he has now contributed to eight goals in his last four matches (five goals, three assists).
San Jose have scored in their last 19 MLS matches – their longest such run since August 2015 to April 2016 (22 games) – but they only created 0.46 expected goals (xG), giving themselves little chance against Vancouver's 2.63 xG.
