Just one game is enough! MLS's highly praised LAFC coach Son Heung-min for his first help also responds to a few players in the world
Aug 18, 2025
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It was a rave review from the MLS Secretariat. Son Heung-min (33, LA FC), who started for the first time since entering the U.S., reported his first offensive point.
Son Heung-min started the New England Revolution and the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) regular league away game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on the 17th (Korea time). This is the first time Son Heung-min has been listed on the starting list. Son Heung-min played full-time for the first time, inducing the winning goal and helping the netting goal. LA FC ended a three-game winless streak with a 2-0 win.
Son Heung-min was the front-line striker in the 4-3-3 formation. Son Heung-min worked with Dennis Buanga and David Martinez on the left and right. Timothy Tillman, Maci Delgado, and Igor Jesús were located in the waistline. The four backs were made up by Ryan Hollingshead - Nkosi Tapari - Edi Segura - Sergi Palencia. The goal was defended by Hugo Lloris.
Son Heung-min has been flying since his debut. Son Heung-min stepped on the ground in the second half of the MLS regular league away game against Chicago Fire FC at Sitgig Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois on the 10th. Son Heung-min scored a tie penalty with a sharp movement. LA FC drew 2-2 amid Son Heung-min's performance.
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The key was documents. LA FC said Son Heung-min will be able to play immediately if he gets a U.S. P-1 visa and International Transition Certificate (ITC). Depending on whether or not a visa is issued, it is expected to be his debut match against Chicago on the 10th at the earliest and New England Revolution on the 17th at the latest. His visa came out faster than expected and he played three days after entering LA FC.
Son Heung-min, who started from the bench, warmed up in earnest from the end of the first half and prepared to play. Fans began to cheer when Son Heung-min changed his uniform to play. The MLS website said, `Most of the stadium was filled with red spectators, but the LA FC away cheering squad cheered tremendously when Son Heung-min appeared. Fans wearing Tottenham, Leverkusen and Korean national team uniforms reacted to the crowd, and some fans were in tears at the historic moment.
Son Heung-min's MLS debut was fantastic. Son Heung-min's class, which was the best in the English Premier League, was also in the U.S. Son Heung-min played as a front-line striker in the three-top. Son Heung-min, who made his first touch with an interception, fired his first shot in the 21st minute of the second half. He got a ground ball cross from the right and attempted a left footed shot from the front of the arc. The ball headed to the net but was weak. In the 23rd minute, he made a sharp move in the counterattack situation.
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The 31-minute match was brought to square one. Son Heung-min, who received a through pass in the counterattack situation, took the opportunity to face the goalkeeper with explosive speed. As soon as he tried to shoot, he tripped over opposing defender Carlos Terran. Son Heung-min raised his hands to protest, but the referee did not declare a penalty. After a while, I communicated with VAR (video reading). 'Onfield Review' was conducted, and the referee's choice was a penalty. Son drew cheers from his fans. In the process, Terran and nerve conduction were conducted. Buanga scored a penalty. Son Heung-min could have been greedy for his debut goal, but he showed respect for Buanga.
Son Heung-min created a chance to score the winning goal by breaking down the back space with a fantastic movement in extra time, but the shot was blocked by the opponent's defense's tackle. Although there was no offensive point, it was a debut match that expected future performance. The MLS website said 'The era of Son Heung-min has opened' in MLS. 'Good debut'
In addition to inducing penalties, Son recorded three shots, one shot on goal, six pass successes, one tackle, and three ground-contention successes. It was a short time, but the LA FC strikers fired a lot of shots on the day. Despite working together for the first time, he showed a fluid position with excellent soccer intelligence. Sometimes, Son Heung-min and Buanga did not match the tempo, but it was something that could be matched in the future.
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Son Heung-min, who preheated, immediately took the main position. At a press conference the previous day, LA FC coach Steve Cherundolo said, `I hope Son Heung-min, who played 30 minutes in his debut against Chicago, will play more time against New England.' Son Heung-min, who played under the variables of artificial turf and high humidity, led the LA FC attack with active movements.
Son Heung-min had a decisive opportunity in the 26th minute. When the opposing goalkeeper punched in a corner kick situation, he caught it just outside the penalty box. After beating a defender, he left-footed a shot, but missed. Son Heung-min was disappointed as he covered his head.
The game was followed by New England's lead. Leonardo Campana fired a powerful shot in the 10th minute of the first half, taking advantage of LA FC's defensive mistake, but Lloris blocked it well. In the 18th minute, Brian Sevayos attempted a header from a corner. He hit the post and came out. In the 34th minute, Campana connected Carlos Gil's back-heel pass with a powerful left-footed shot. Slightly over the net. LA FC received Son Heung-min's wonderful kill pass in the 44th minute and Buanga shot in front of the defense, but it came out after being hit.
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Son Heung-min threw a sharp pass from time to time. Martinez, who received Son Heung-min's penetration pass in the 22nd minute of counterattack, fired a left-footed shot. He headed in front of the goalkeeper. In the 36th minute, he fired a free-kick that he got himself, but he headed in front of the goalkeeper. He poked a nice pass in a 44th minute counterattack. Ryan Laposo's shot, which was replaced, was directed in front of the goalkeeper.
Son Heung-min missed another disappointing scoring chance in the 46th minute. From the left, he jumped in a cross from Artam Smoliacov and connected it with a header. Stuck by the goalkeeper's super save. Two minutes later, Son Heung-min scored an attack point. Son Heung-min dug in front of the arc and stabbed a pass to Mathieu Choniere, who was jumping to the left. Chonière's shot led to a goal and sealed the game.
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Coach Steve Cherundolo also said, `There are only a few players in the world who have the same intelligence and experience as Son Heung-min. Tactically and physically, everything is well combined. The basics are solid as well." "I'm really looking forward to the future with him. It's really nice to be able to celebrate victory. This is a league that is not easy to win on the road." "Son Heung-min is a player who brings smiles every day during training. This is very important in my work. I try to do the same. He is a good communicator who motivates all players with a happy heart. It's a very important thing. What a great recruit for us."
Reporter Park Chan-joon vanbasten@sportschosun.com
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
