Thomas Müller and the MLS: A Bizarre System, a New Chapter

MLS’s Unusual Structure Raises Eyebrows
The roots of the current situation can be traced back to FIFA’s decision in the 1990s to allow the creation of a professional soccer league in the United States—a country with little footballing tradition at the time. What emerged was a system that defied nearly all FIFA norms: Major League Soccer (MLS) operates without promotion or relegation, stripping the league of true competitive stakes. The season runs from February to early December, out of sync with the European football calendar.

MLS also features a playoff system in which the team with the best regular season record can be eliminated in the first round. On top of that, it includes mechanisms such as a salary cap and a draft system—borrowed from American sports like the NFL and NBA—that interfere with the traditional market-driven structure of global football.

To make the league even more distinct, rules were eventually introduced to enforce financial discipline. These changes opened the door for aging stars like David Beckham and Lionel Messi to have short, high-profile stints that injected some glamour into the MLS in the twilight of their careers.

The “Discovery Rights” Mystery
One of the league’s most perplexing quirks is its “discovery rights” rule. Since the MLS’s inception, teams have been allowed to claim exclusive rights to negotiate with players—even if those players have never expressed interest in joining the league. The New York Times once described the policy as “particularly absurd.”

In practice, this means any MLS club can reserve the rights to a player simply by submitting their name to a league-managed list. That’s exactly what FC Cincinnati did with Thomas Müller, despite the fact that he’s been a globally recognized name for over 15 years. Cincinnati, which joined MLS in 2019 as part of the league’s expansion efforts, merely registered Müller’s name first—essentially calling dibs without any actual engagement from the player. The logic? You never know.

Vancouver Wins the Battle for Müller
Although FC Cincinnati held Müller’s discovery rights, it’s Vancouver Whitecaps who are now on the verge of securing the German legend’s signature. Multiple media outlets have reported that the 35-year-old 2014 World Cup winner will soon join the Canadian club, with both parties reaching an agreement despite the initial roadblock.

The move to North America signals the end of Müller’s storied chapter with Bayern Munich. However, on Tuesday, the veteran forward made an unexpected appearance back at the club’s training facility on Säbener Straße.

Surprise Visit to Bayern’s Training Ground
As reported by tz, Müller trained solo on the Bayern training pitch, spending about 45 minutes going through a personal workout. Video footage captured him jogging around the field at his old stomping grounds. Notably, he wore a Bayern training shirt—not with his iconic number 25, but with number 27, a jersey currently assigned to midfielder Konrad Laimer.

According to Bild, Müller didn’t just run laps. After his cardio, he worked on passing and coordination drills under the guidance of Bayern’s rehab coach, Simon Martinello.

A New Journey in Canada
Müller is expected to sign a one-and-a-half-year contract with the Vancouver Whitecaps. While the official announcement is still pending, all indications suggest the deal is close to final. If confirmed, Müller will become the latest European star to bring his talents to North America—adding his name to a growing list of elite players contributing to the MLS’s evolving legacy.