Müller’s late penalty earns Whitecaps 1-1 draw with LAFC

Thomas Müller scored from the penalty spot in the 76th minute as Vancouver Whitecaps FC came back to draw 1-1 with LAFC on Saturday in Major League Soccer.

Son Heung-min put LAFC ahead in the 37th minute after Denis Bouanga intercepted a Vancouver pass and set him up. Müller equalized after defender Yevhen Cheberko brought him down in the box.

Vancouver had 20 shots to LAFC’s five, four shots on target to one and 11 corner kicks to one. Coach Jesper Sørensen said his side controlled the match and created opportunities, while captain Ryan Gauld said LAFC’s deep defensive setup made clear chances difficult to find.

The teams remain tied atop the Western Conference at 34 points, each with a 10-3-4 record. Vancouver, which won eight of its first nine matches, is 1-2-2 over its past five.

A crowd of 40,086 saw the Whitecaps return to BC Place for the first time since April 25 after the stadium hosted seven FIFA World Cup matches. Vancouver hosts Mexico City’s Atlante FC in Leagues Cup Phase 1 on Tuesday; LAFC hosts Chivas de Guadalajara on Wednesday.