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| AFP Yonhap News |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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It seems that domestic soccer fans are not the only ones who regret that Son Heung-min (33, LA FC), who received a penalty kick in the first game of entering La La Land, did not handle it himself.
The U.S. sports monthly magazine 'Sports Illustrated' mentioned Son Heung-min's penalty kick situation in an article that updated the power rankings of teams participating in the 2025 season of the U.S. Professional Football (MLS) on the 12th (Korea time).
Son Heung-min replaced the Chicago Fire in the 16th minute of the second half in an away MLS game against the Chicago Fire at Citgig Stadium in Illinois on the 10th and scored a penalty kick in the opponent's box with a sudden breakthrough in the 31st minute of the second half, 15 minutes later.
Son Heung-min tripped over the opponent's defender's leg, and the penalty was confirmed through the VAR. Winger Denny Buanga, a teammate and dedicated kicker, scored as a kicker. The match ended in a 2–2 draw with Buanga's equalizer.
Sports Illustrated'Son Heung-min's era has arrived, and (the team) scored its first point. But can't we talk about Son Heung-min should have kicked a penalty instead of Buanga? I know Buanga is a (exclusive) kicker, but still!'
Son Heung-min, who made his debut four days after his official LA FC performance on the 7th, seems to have expected an ideal 'picture' to score his debut goal.
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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Son Heung-min received favorable reviews from the local media, although he finished his debut, which lasted about 30 minutes, without an offensive point. The prevailing response was that LA FC invested $26 million (about 36 billion won), a new MLS transfer fee, to find out why Tottenham captain Son Heung-min was recruited.
'Sports Illustrated'Doh 'We analyzed all Son Heung-min's performances. Won a penalty and played well as a fake striker. Especially considering that he played in official games for the first time since the end of the 2024-2025 European season. The result may be a shame for LAFC, but it's never bad to get a draw from behind' I wrote.
Thanks to the Son Heung-min effect, LA FC's power ranking also rose slightly from 11th to 10th. San Diego, which has Mexican star Irving Rosano, maintained its No. 1 position in the power rankings, while Philadelphia Union, Cincinnati and Orlando City were second to fourth. Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, fell two places from the previous third place to fifth place. It is analyzed in the aftermath of the 1-4 crushing defeat against Orlando, where Messi was injured.
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
