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Son Heung-min is changing the history of Major League Soccer (MLS) in the U.S., although it has not been more than three weeks since he entered the U.S.
On the 27th (Korea time), the U.S. 'LA Times' announced 'Top10', the most important recruitment in MLS history. Superstars called Naero have been on the MLS stage so far, and Son Heung-min proudly ranked fourth.
First place was David Beckham, who moved from Real Madrid to the LA Galaxy and is now the owner of Inter Miami. Beckham has had such a significant impact on the league that he has created a so-called `Beckham Rule' that allows only designated players to pay salaries or transfer fees beyond the league's salary cap to recruit superstars. Second place was Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who also played for the LA Galaxy, and third place was Lionel Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami.
The fact that under Son Heung-min, U.S. soccer legend Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, who played in the English Premier League, and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, who played for the New York Red Bulls, are present shows Son's status. Robbie Keane (LAGalaxy), Carlos Vela (LAFC), Sebastian GioVinco (Toronto), and Jorge Campos (LAGalaxy) were selected as the top 10.
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The LA Times said that the transfer of Korean star Son Heung-min to LAFC earlier this month is a large achievement that is not limited to the team. From the MLS' perspective, it can be an opportunity to pioneer the Asian market in terms of marketing and sponsorship by recruiting the best players in Korean soccer history. In addition, the league's highest transfer fee of $26 million (about 36.3 billion won) could be sufficiently valuable.
Son Heung-min's effect is remarkable. LAFC posted an article titled `Son Heung-min effect' on the 26th (Korea time). The club said 'The effects of Son Heung-min's joining are unprecedented' and that concrete data such as home games sold out and social media views more than doubled' According to the club, Son Heung-min's recruitment effect is more than five times that of Gareth Bale in 2022.
It even revealed the figures. LAFC reported that the number of club-related content views increased by 594% to 33.98 billion after Son Heung-min joined the team. Media coverage of the club also increased by 289%. Son Heung-min's uniform sold more than 1.5 million, three times more than when Messi moved to Inter Miami. LAFC also claimed that Son Heung-min's uniforms were sold the most in all sports in the world during the period.
Mike Mikita, a high school teacher and a member of LA FC's Korean supporters group TSG"You can see middle-aged men wearing Son Heung-min uniforms while walking or driving in the neighborhood these days. It's really new." "So many people came to the cheering party recently. Not a few people were excited by the new flag, support, and various SNS videos." He said "Before, Korean-Americans who were born and raised in the United States and were familiar with English were dominant, but now many generations are coming forward. It's a great pleasure." Korean Americans have been desperate for this opportunity," he added.
Song Bin Ju Vargas, who runs a smoked BBQ restaurant in Koreatown, recently painted and installed a mural of Son Heung-min wearing a Korean-American flag and a uniform that read 'KOREA Gangwon' on the side of Koreatown. He said "My father is from Chuncheon, the same hometown as Son Heung-min. He said he had seen young Son Heung-min when he played for a club in Chuncheon with Son's father (Son Woong-jung) decades ago.
Another member of TSG, Josh An, said "My friends around me knew I was going to the football field, but they didn't think much of it. However, after Son Heung-min joined the team, he said 'Let's go to the soccer field' LA FC may rise to the level of Shohei Ohtani's LA Dodgers, but it has a similar atmosphere.
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Son Heung-min is also showing immediate influence inside the stadium. Son Heung-min scored the first goal in three games since his debut. Son Heung-min scored his debut goal with a picturesque free kick six minutes after the start of the 2025 MLS 30th round against FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium in Dallas, Texas on the 24th. Son Heung-min, the kicker of Dennis Buanga's free kick, fired a powerful right-footed shot. Ball poked a fantastic trajectory into the corner of the Dallas goal. It was Son's first goal in the U.S. Son Heung-min, who recorded help in the last game, performed his signature 「Click Ceremony」 in the U.S. after three games.
Son Heung-min induced a penalty kick in his debut match, followed by his first offensive point in the last match against New England, which was his first start. Son Heung-min and Messi were selected as MLS's team of 'Match Day 29'. Coach Steve Cherundulo told the U.S. in an interview with Pulse Sports"Son Heung-min is really special. It has the intelligence, experience, technical and physical abilities to combine teams. The more he plays, the better his teammates will understand "He maintains the fluidity of the game. I want to do an excellent sprint and always make multiple options. His joining is bringing everything together. He praised the missing piece we were looking for.
In the match against Darlance, he even scored a goal with his better skills. The game ended 1-1 but Son Heung-min completely dominated the game and showed off his class that dominated the English Premier League for 10 years.
The U.S. was more excited by Son Heung-min's goal. When Son Heung-min scored, local broadcasters said, "Giorgio Chiellini, Gareth Bale, and many other stars have passed through the team, but Son Heung-min, who plays the team's front-line striker and No. 9, can be the best player in history."I'm impressed.
The MLS said, "'Son Heung-min quickly proved his skills in MLS.' Son Heung-min scored his world-class debut goal in MLS. The debut goal of South Korean superstar and LAFC's highest transfer fee player in history raised expectations for his home debut against San Diego FC next weekend. USA Today was also a very impressive free-kick score'I evaluated it.
Fabrizio Romano, regarded as the highest peak of the European transfer market, is also Son Heung-min Show at MLS! Son Heung-min scored his first goal in MLS with a perfect free kick. This is just the beginning,' he praised.
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The LA FCT team also participated in a praise relay. Defender Kosh Tapari practised free-kick the day before. I saw the top corner of the net this time, and the ball magically flew there. It was really nice to seeSon Heung-min's first three games are worth hanging at the Louvre Museum. Earned penalties, recorded help, and scored goals. I don't know what's going to happen next week. He's doing an amazing job, and his energy is really good."
Cherundolo also said, `He has characteristics that not many players in this league have"It's like the fresh wind and the sense of motivation that we desperately need, the wind that's coming to our team. He's pushing us," he said with a thumbs up.
Son Heung-min was also named in Lee Ju's team selected by the MLS secretariat. On the 26th, the MLS Secretariat selected and announced the team for the migration of 'Match Day 30' on its official channel. Son Heung-min, who scored his debut goal, made his name confidently. After being selected for the first time in the 29th round last week, Son Heung-min was selected for the second consecutive week. There was no name for Messi, who was picked together last round.
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Along with Son Heung-min, Danny Musovski (Seattle), Sam Surridge (Nashville), Robin Lord (Minnesota), Hani Mukhtar (Nashville), Eiden O'Neill (New York City), Daniel Mooney (San Jose), Mamadou Fofana (New England), Kai Wagner (Philadelphia) and Mickey Yamane (LA Galaxy) were selected for the 30th round. The weekly MVP was taken by Musovski, who scored a hat trick.
On the 26th, U.S. Sports Illustrated ranked the best five goals in the 30th round, with Son Heung-min's goal ranking second. Sports Illustrated said it was a goal that Timmenit should bet on the Louvre after the game. It was a magical goal that landed in the top corner. The first place was a fantastic mid-range goal scored by Baltasar Rodriguez of Inter Miami against DC United.
Son Heung-min is now heading to the home opening match. LAFC will face San Diego FC at 11:30 a.m. on the 1st of next month at BMO Stadium in LA, USA. Son Heung-min said on his SNS, `I'm really proud that I scored my first goal. I've been really welcomed since I arrived here and I really love the club and this city. Finally playing my first home game at BMO next week. I can't wait to meet you there, you all expressed your expectations.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
