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One of Müller, Son dream MLS debuts will end in Vancouver-LAFC playoff clash

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2 months ago

November 20, 2025

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One of Müller, Son dream MLS debuts will end in Vancouver-LAFC playoff clash

Jeff CarlisleNov 20, 2025, 09:57 AM ET
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They are the kind of midseason acquisitions that dreams are made of.

Think of the player who comes in, fits in seamlessly with his teammates, and whose performances on the field make the team better. Reality is often different, with some players not quite living up to the hype. But this Saturday, the MLS Cup playoffs will feature two players who fit into the former category: LAFC‘s Son Heung-Min and the Vancouver Whitecaps‘ Thomas Müller.

It’s almost a shame that these players are meeting up at this stage of the playoffs, and not deeper into the postseason. Son has been a sensation for LAFC, both on and off the field, recording 10 goals and four assists in 12 league and playoff appearances, and electrifying LAFC’s entire fanbase with his trademark smile. Müller has been almost as good, with eight goals and three assists in nine matches, including the postseason.

It raises the question of why have Son and Müller have done so well while others have failed, beyond their obvious quality. ESPN tackled that query as it related to high-profile players earlier this year, and the list of factors included adapting to the style of play, the ability to adapt to new teammates off the field, as well as the hunger to win.

It sounds simple, but it also requires the kind of character that is accepting of how the soccer culture in MLS might be very different than what they’re used to. Suffice it to say, Müller and Son have checked all of those boxes.

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LAFC defender Ryan Hollingshead recalls with clarity the first time he met Son. It was when the South Korea international was introduced before the team’s Leagues Cup match against Tigres, and went into the locker room, where Hollingshead was using some weights to help him warm up for the match.

“I handed [Son] my weights and he said, ‘Let’s get to work,'” Hollingshead recalled. “And he laughed and started doing the exercise. He was ready to go. Obviously, he was in his street clothes, but it was just one of those where it was like, I got to test his banter early, and he definitely passed the test.”

Son’s acclimatization was helped by the fact that he fit perfectly into LAFC’s counterattacking style. LAFC manager Steve Cherundolo felt his side were missing another attacking weapon up top, one who could finish plays and create a goal out of nothing. That proved correct, with Son’s pairing with Denis Bouanga proving to be devastating to opponents, with Bouanga netting 13 times since Son’s arrival.

But Son’s attitude has been critical to his adaptation as well. Hollingshead noted that Son is demanding, isn’t afraid to speak up if something isn’t working, but in a constructive way.

“[Son] is the first one to push for things,” Hollingshead said. “But then, as soon as the play breaks, he’s coming over and giving you a high five and laughing with you and talking to you about what he could have done differently himself and what he saw, and he’s talking through the play. So it’s like trying to find a solution. And that’s what I love. It’s not just frustration. It’s like, ‘How do we as a team get better?’ His goal is always to make the team better.”

Some familiar faces have helped as well. LAFC keeper Hugo Lloris was at one time Son’s captain at Tottenham Hotspur. Cherundolo played against Son when the two were in the Bundesliga, Cherundolo with Hannover 96, while Son was with Hamburg and Bayer Leverkusen. Cherundolo recalled that Son was “constantly a thorn to your side, running and darting and just a pain.

“All of those components point into really only one direction,” added Cherundolo. “This was always headed towards success.”

Many of the attributes that those around LAFC use to describe Son are echoed by Vancouver players and staff about Müller. There’s a push for perfection, but also a humility about everything he does.

“He wants it to be about the Whitecaps with Thomas on the team, and not about Thomas and then with the Whitecaps in the background,” said Vancouver manager Jesper Sørensen. “So I think that’s been his ambition from day one. And that’s also been how he’s been acting, and that’s been very easy for his teammates to deal with. Also with him and also for us as coaches, because obviously we also looked how we could make him fit well into how we would like to do stuff.”

Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter recalled how Müller sent him a text before he arrived, where the German introduced himself, and said how excited he was to play with the U.S. international and that they would do great things together. That made a huge impression.

“[That] kind of just set the tone from the beginning, that he’s just like us and he wants to just be one of the boys,” Berhalter told ESPN. “And that’s something from day one, he’s emphasized that he just wants to be one of the boys and we’ve tried to make him feel like that.”

Once the two got to know each other as teammates, the conversations covered all kinds of topics, from soccer tactics to recovery to the way he looks at life. Berhalter’s biggest takeaway?

“[Müller] doesn’t overthink things, he doesn’t make anything complicated,” said Berhalter. “He keeps it very simple and very easy and he does what he wants to do, and that’s very clear and that I think is what makes him successful. He’s learned over his career that, for him, it’s about just being himself and doing the right things and being a realist almost in senses and not trying to hide and going after it.”

Müller may have spent his entire career before this summer in Germany with mighty Bayern Munich, but he knew that the changes he was taking on were big enough that nothing was guaranteed. His attitude proved to be his insurance policy.

“I was not coming here for vacation,” Müller told reporters on Tuesday. “I wanted to do a serious job and that was always my goal when I came here, that I want to perform. But you never know in a different country, different league, in a new team, how long this process maybe will last until you’re really a real part of the team.

“But yeah, in the end I was always able to adapt really quick to situations during all my career. I changed my playing styles so many times in a tiny bit of way.”

The two players have faced off nine times previously, with Müller having the edge with a 6W-1L-2D record, but Son’s win was a biggie: that being in the 2018 World Cup when he scored in South Korea’s 2-0 win over Germany that eliminated the defending World Cup champions.

When asked what he remembered about Son when they squared off in the Bundesliga, Müller remarked that it was a little unfair to look at the kind of player the South Korea international was back then. The Hamburg and Leverkusen teams didn’t have the level of talent to compete with the likes of Bayern.

“We are now [on] very good teams, two very good teams, and he is a big player there,” Müller said about Son. “I’m a big player here, so it’s a little bit different because when he was at Hamburg, when we came with Bayern at this time, we crushed him every time.”

LAFC will be trying to avoid that fate on Saturday. Doing so will require finding a way to nullify Müller as best they can. Cherundolo knows from personal experience how difficult that is.

“He’s one of the most intelligent players out there in the world, just really exceptional at reading the moment in the game and what the game needs,” Cherundolo said. “He has a very lanky and long frame and his technique sometimes look like it’s out of control, but I can tell you firsthand it is everything but that. It is 100% under control and in control. He’s exceptional at his first touch, his passes, his finishes.

“He doesn’t make mistakes and his timing of spatial awareness is amazing. His prowess in the box and sniffing plays out is world class.”

So is Son’s, and come Saturday, fans of both teams — as well as neutrals — will get a chance to admire the quality of both players. But only one player’s dream season will continue.

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Biggest upcoming tests for the five undefeated men’s basketball teams

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2 hours ago

January 12, 2026

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Biggest upcoming tests for the five undefeated men’s basketball teams

Jeff BorzelloJan 12, 2026, 09:00 AM ET
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The ranks of the unbeaten shrunk from six to five this past weekend — with arguably the least likely loser suffering its first defeat of the campaign.

Michigan, which was beating teams by an average of more than 30 points entering last week, played with fire on the road at Penn State with a two-point win on Tuesday then gave up 54 second-half points to Wisconsin on Saturday en route to a 91-88 loss.

Now just five unbeatens remain: Arizona, Iowa State, Vanderbilt, Nebraska and Miami (Ohio).

Which will be the next to lose? Which will be the last remaining unbeaten? Which teams have staying power?

Let’s take a look at how each got here and the biggest upcoming tests.

Editor’s note: This is an updated version of a story that first published on Dec. 29, 2025.

Record: 16-0
Jan. 5 AP Top 25 ranking: 1

How they got here: Behind an exceptional debut from freshman Koa Peat (30 points), Arizona opened the season with a win over reigning champion Florida in Las Vegas and has racked up more quality wins since then. The Wildcats hold victories over UConn, Alabama, UCLA, Auburn and San Diego State, with only one of those coming on their home floor in Tucson. Their defeat of UConn in Storrs was one of the most impressive wins we’ll see from any team this season. And they cruised to blowout wins over Utah, Kansas State and TCU to start Big 12 play.

Why they’re unbeaten: Coach Tommy Lloyd has a tougher, more physical team than usual that could deliver the program its first Final Four since 2001. The roster is extremely well-balanced. Peat was sensational early, but his classmate Brayden Burries has been the offensive focal point of late. Jaden Bradley looks like one of the best point guards in the country as a senior, and the center duo of Motiejus Krivas and Tobe Awaka has few peers. Arizona is incredibly dominant inside but shoots better than 37% from 3. The Wildcats are also ranked in the top five nationally in defensive efficiency.

Biggest upcoming test: Jan. 26 at BYU

Arizona’s Big 12 schedule is backloaded; the Wildcats won’t face Kansas, Texas Tech, Houston, Baylor or Iowa State until February. A Jan. 17 trip to UCF could be tricky, but Arizona should win that one, too. So we’ll circle the Wildcats’ trip to Provo for a date with potential No. 1 NBA draft pick AJ Dybantsa and coach Kevin Young’s top-10 Cougars.

Record: 16-0
Jan. 5 AP Top 25 ranking: 3

How they got here: After losing scorers Keshon Gilbert and Curtis Jones from last season’s roster, there were questions about whether coach TJ Otzelberger could keep the momentum rolling for another campaign. But it was Iowa State’s trip to Las Vegas that opened eyes. The Cyclones beat St. John’s in their Players Era Festival opener, then blew out Creighton and Syracuse. And if there were any remaining doubts, those were answered with a stunning 81-58 win over then-No. 1 Purdue — in West Lafayette. They backed that up with a victory over rival Iowa less than a week later then opened Big 12 play with a trio of double-digit wins over West Virginia, Baylor and Oklahoma State.

Why they’re unbeaten: As is typically the case with an Otzelberger-coached team, the key revolves around the defensive end. Iowa State is again one of the country’s elite defenses, forcing turnovers at a higher rate than all but two teams. Tamin Lipsey is known as a top-notch defender, but freshman Killyan Toure has provided another high-level on-ball defensive player. Joshua Jefferson has taken the next step in his development and become an All-American-caliber player, and Milan Momcilovic has been the best shooter in the country so far this season. As a team, Iowa State shoots nearly 41% from 3, ranking No. 3 nationally.

Biggest upcoming test: Jan. 13 at Kansas

Despite Kansas’ recent struggles, a trip to Allen Fieldhouse always poses problems for visiting teams — especially with Darryn Peterson back and seemingly healthy enough to play 30-plus minutes. Iowa State’s Big 12 schedule is also backloaded, with a six-game stretch in February and March including matchups against Kansas, Houston, BYU, Texas Tech and Arizona.

Record: 16-0
Jan. 5 AP Top 25 ranking: 11

How they got here: Vanderbilt’s win over Alabama last Wednesday was its biggest victory of the season, even if it has since lost some luster following the Tide’s home loss to Texas. But the Commodores have also dominated a slew of very solid opponents with a 12-point win over UCF, a 15-point win over VCU, a 25-point win over Saint Mary’s, a 19-point win over SMU, an overtime road win at Memphis and a 31-point blowout of Wake Forest in Winston-Salem. Vandy ranks in the top 10 across nearly every metric, both from a résumé and efficiency standpoint.

Why they’re unbeaten: Coach Mark Byington has an experienced, explosive unit. The Commodores are one of only six teams to rank in the top 12 in both offensive and defensive rating at KenPom, and both ends of the court are headlined by the backcourt of Tyler Tanner and Duke Miles. Tanner is arguably the most underrated point guard in the country, while Miles has rediscovered his high-level scoring ability from two seasons ago at High Point. Both are also exceptionally disruptive defensively, ranking in the top 25 nationally in steals rate. Tyler Nickel has already made 8 3-pointers in a game twice this season. And Devin McGlockton is the ultimate glue guy.

Biggest upcoming test: Saturday vs. Florida

Vandy and Florida look like the best teams in the SEC, and this weekend will be the only time the two face off. The backcourt battle will be key, given the way Tanner and Miles have been playing. Boogie Fland had his best game as a Gator over the weekend, but he and Xaivian Lee haven’t quite found consistency. The key to this matchup is likely whether Vandy can match Florida’s size up front.

Record: 16-0
Jan. 5 AP Top 25 ranking: 10

How they got here: Nebraska actually holds the nation’s longest active winning streak, dating to last season’s four-game run to win the College Basketball Crown. The Cornhuskers had some early notable wins over Oklahoma, New Mexico and Kansas State on neutral courts but really began to make waves when they ran off a 21-point win over Creighton, a 30-point win over Wisconsin and a road win at Illinois in a one-week span. They then erased remaining doubts by beating Michigan State at home before going on the road to beat Ohio State and Indiana.

Why they’re unbeaten: The Cornhuskers take care of the ball, make 3s and are experienced — it’s a recipe that works. Even back in his days at the helm of Iowa State, Fred Hoiberg typically had one of the more prolific 3-point shooting teams in the country. That has been taken to a new level this season, with Nebraska attempting more than 50% of its shots from beyond the arc. Four players are making at least one 3 per game; three are shooting 38% or better from 3. The return of all-conference forward Rienk Mast, who sat out last season because of a knee injury, has been huge. And Pryce Sandfort is enjoying a breakout season after transferring from Iowa last spring.

Biggest upcoming test: Jan. 27 at Michigan

Nebraska was able to navigate a difficult three-game stretch to open 2026, which should provide some optimism it will be able to manage its next four games before the showdown in Ann Arbor. The Cornhuskers will have trouble with Michigan’s size, but their ability to generate open shots — particularly from the perimeter — should keep the contest close.

Record: 17-0
Jan. 5 AP Top 25 ranking: Unranked (30th in votes)

How they got here: It helps that the RedHawks have the No. 364 strength of schedule (out of 365 teams) in the country, according to average opponent NET rank. Of their first 13 wins, 12 came against teams ranked in the 200s or 300s at KenPom. But winning at Wright State by seven is a legitimately solid victory — then they came out in MAC play with notable win after notable win. They won at Bowling Green, beat preseason favorite Akron at home and nabbed another victory at perennial contender Toledo. It’s also worth noting that coach Travis Steele’s team has been handling most of its opponents with relative ease, ranking in the top 45 nationally in scoring margin.

Why they’re unbeaten: Even considering the caliber of opposition, Miami has been performing on the offensive end at an extremely high level. The RedHawks have scored at least 1.13 points per possession in all but one game this season and rank No. 6 in the country in offensive rating, according to CBB Analytics. They’re averaging nearly 93 points, rank first nationally in field goal percentage and are top five in 3-point percentage. Steele has them humming at that end of the court — nine different players have already scored at least 15 points in a game this season, with six making double-digit 3s total this season.

Biggest upcoming test: Jan. 20 at Kent State

Arguably the two toughest tests of Miami’s MAC season are out of the way — at Bowling Green and vs. Akron — and the RedHawks are projected to be favored in every game the rest of the season. But road trips in league play are always challenging, and the conference is filled with potential losses. One of those is Kent State, which has lost only one home game this season. The Golden Flashes have a veteran coach in Rob Senderoff, they’re experienced and they play fast.

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WATCH: Melbourne captain retires Mohammad Rizwan during BBL 15 game

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4 hours ago

January 12, 2026

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WATCH: Melbourne captain retires Mohammad Rizwan during BBL 15 game

Muhammad Rizwan of the Renegades bats during the BBL match between Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Renegades at ENGIE Stadium, on January 12, 2026, Sydney, Australia. — AFP

Melbourne Renegades retired Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan during their Big Bash League (BBL) 15 game against Sydney Thunder at Sydney Showground Stadium on Monday.

A video posted by the BBL on social media captured Renegades captain Will Sutherland calling Rizwan back to the pavilion so he could take his place at the crease.

The former Pakistan captain was on 26 off 23 balls when he was called back to the pavilion.

Fans reacted strongly to the right-handed batter being forced to retire out, calling it an embarrassment, as the video quickly went viral on social media.

However, Sutherland failed to make a meaningful contribution, as he was run out for just one run.

In the match against Thunder, Renegades batted first and posted 170-8 in their 20 overs.

Hassan Khan top-scored with 46 off 31 balls, hitting one four and four sixes, while openers Josh Brown and Tim Seifert added 35 and 29 runs, respectively.

For Sydney Thunder, David Willey, Ryan Hadley and Wes Agar claimed two wickets apiece.

Rizwan has struggled with the bat in the ongoing BBL edition, scoring 167 runs in eight matches at an average of 20.88, without registering a fifty.

Rizwan and Babar Azam, who have featured consistently in major tournaments since the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 in the UAE, have been sidelined from Pakistan’s T20I side in recent months.

Both senior players were dropped after the three-match T20I series against South Africa in December 2024, with the selectors prioritising young talent ahead of T20 World Cup.

However, they continue to represent the national side in the ODI and Test format.

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