Thomas Muller relocating from Vancouver to Vegas? MLS reportedly discussed Whitecaps’ future

The Vancouver Whitecaps have had a notable rise for the reason that arrival of Thomas Muller from Bayern Munich, with teammate Mathias Laborda lately praising Muller’s affect and management. However inside MLS, there may be dialogue a couple of potential relocation out of Vancouver and probably transferring them to Las Vegas, which might be a serious media affect.

In accordance with Tom Bogert and Paul Tenorio of The Athletic, a particular committee of Main League Soccer house owners met earlier this month to debate and consider the way forward for the Vancouver Whitecaps, together with the opportunity of relocation. A transfer to Las Vegas was the chief possibility mentioned on the assembly.

A membership in MLS has not been formally relocated since 2006, when the San Jose Earthquakes had been moved to Houston and have become the Dynamo. In 2008, San Jose was awarded an enlargement membership and regained the Quakes’ historical past.

The proposal from Las Vegas

Las Vegas, in accordance with the report, has already put ahead a really enticing provide. One of many buyers unveiled a $10 billion improvement plan on the Las Vegas Strip known as Starr Vegas that would come with a 50,000-seat soccer stadium, however the sources mentioned that it isn’t the group that has engaged with MLS.

Different cities

Las Vegas is likely one of the few markets with potential buyers which have expressed curiosity in becoming a member of MLS, together with Indianapolis, Phoenix, and Sacramento. Phoenix, together with Las Vegas, is one other of the principle candidates for relocation.

On the similar time, Vancouver has a cause to be involved a couple of transfer; the Whitecaps proceed to seek for an answer available in the market for a brand new stadium, as their lease at BC Place expires on the finish of this yr. The membership additionally stays on the market. The longer this example continues with out progress, the larger the specter of relocation.

“Since December 2024, possession has prioritized discovering a purchaser dedicated to protecting the group in Vancouver, and up to now, no answer has been discovered,” the Whitecaps mentioned in a membership assertion offered to The Athletic.

The affect of the Whitecaps

If this example had been to occur, it will be one thing very critical for the MLS panorama. We’re speaking about one of many largest and most historic groups on this facet. The membership was initially shaped and performed its inaugural season within the NASL in 1974. The membership has performed in varied leagues for all however two years since 1974, however has all the time remained in Vancouver.

Vancouver is having fun with considered one of its finest sporting moments. In Muller’s first yr with the membership, the Whitecaps reached the 2025 MLS Cup ultimate towards Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, and so they additionally reached the Concacaf Champions Cup ultimate.

They’re as soon as once more among the many finest groups in MLS in 2026, three factors off first place within the Supporters Protect race, with a recreation in hand after 9 matches. The membership has made essentially the most of its early residence schedule, with Muller and firm holding a 7-1-0 file at BC Place.

The placement of the Whitecaps’ future stadium stays the most important unknown, with Whitecaps followers already beginning a #SAVETHECAPS motion to protest towards a possible relocation.