Thomas Muller's late goal lifts Whitecaps past Orlando City

Thomas Muller scored a dramatic match-winner in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time for the Vancouver Whitecaps, who defeated host Orlando City 2-1 on Saturday night.

Muller's goal put the Whitecaps (18-6-9, 63 points) atop the Western Conference with one match to go. Vancouver, which is 5-0-3 in its past eight MLS matches and three points ahead of second-place San Diego FC, ends the regular season at home against FC Dallas on Oct. 18.

Orlando saw a four-match unbeaten streak (1-0-3) come to an end. The Lions, who finish the regular season at Toronto FC on Oct. 18, ended the night in seventh place in the East.

Muller snapped a 1-1 tie with a stunning goal deep into second-half stoppage time, a left-footed strike from beyond the edge of the box that made its way past Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. The Germany legend has scored six goals in six MLS matches since his debut for the Whitecaps on Aug. 17.

Muller's goal came after Nelson Pierre pulled the Whitecaps level in the 81st minute on an unusual sequence in front of the net. After Sebastian Berhalter's initial shot rang off the post, the ball eventually made its way to teammate Pierre, who found the back of the net to make it 1-1. It was Pierre's first MLS goal.

Orlando (14-8-11, 53 points) scored its lone goal in the 24th minute. Dagur Dan Thorhallsson threaded a through ball ahead to Martin Ojeda, who crossed the ball to Duncan McGuire near the edge of the box. McGuire's header found the path of Thorhallsson, who surged forward and struck it past Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka. It was Thorhallson's third goal of the season.

Orlando was forced to make a first-half substitution as Robin Jansson exited in the 18th minute with an apparent leg injury. McGuire, who came in for Jansson, was subbed off himself due to injury in the 86th minute.

--Field Level Media