Tottenham legend's ability to make Chicago crazy! Son Heung-min made a surprise debut in LA FC, and in the 16th minute of the second half, he added a substitute to induce a stormy sprint + PK

Aug 10, 2025

'This is the real skill of EPL legend'

Son Heung-min made his surprise debut three days after joining LA FC in the U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS).

Son Heung-min made his surprise debut in the 16th minute of the second half in an away game between the Chicago Fire and the MLS in the 2025 season at Citgig Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois, on the 10th (Korea time). Despite having little time to match his feet with his teammates, Son Heung-min showed off his skills and ran like a storm, eventually inducing a penalty.

The penalty saved LA FC from losing and secured a 2–2 draw. Son Heung-min saved the team from the brink of defeat despite his short playing time. This is the moment when Chicago was drunk on the skills of a top winger from the authentic EPL.

Son Heung-min, who has played in only one Tottenham team for 10 years from 2015 to this year, said a beautiful goodbye to Tottenham after a pre-season friendly match against Newcastle United at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 3rd.

Praise poured out to Son Heung-min, who had the best farewell at the top. Son Heung-min broke up with his teammates after a farewell match at Tottenham, stayed in Korea and moved to the U.S. on the 5th. He then held an official joining ceremony for LAFC on the morning of the 7th. Even if they trained immediately from that day, the team's training time is only about a day or two. We should consider the time that LA FC traveled for the away game in Chicago.

In the end, Son Heung-min was in poor condition and did not have time to learn the faces of his teammates, let alone team tactics. However, he performed well to match the team's flagship player solely with his personal skills.

First, Son started the game on the bench. Watching his teammates and Chicago players play, he kept the level of MLS in his head.

The first half of the situation started against LA FC. He allowed the first goal 11 minutes into the game. In a corner kick, Chicago defender Terran scored with a header. LA FC scored an equalizer in the 19th minute of the first half. Again, a goal was scored from a corner kick. Ryan Hollingshead connected Martinez's ball with a header shot. The opponent cleared it, but the goal was recognized as it was judged to have already crossed the goal line.

In the first half, the score ended 1-1. However, Chicago led the game quite a bit.

the second half of the game that began shortly afterwards. LA FC replaced striker Denny Buanga. Son Heung-min's card has not been taken out yet. In the 13th minute of the second half, only Tillman, who pierced the right side, tried to shoot in the box, but headed straight to the opponent's goalkeeper.

16 minutes in the second half. Son Heung-min's historic MLS debut has finally been made. Fans in the stadium cheered when Martinez was replaced. Without distinguishing between home and away, cheers such as deterioration of fans broke out. An atmosphere has been formed to welcome the legend of EPL.

Son Heung-min scored his first MLS shot in the 21st minute of the second half. Son Heung-min, who received Nathan Odras' cross from the counterattack, fired a mid-range shot with his left foot from the front of the arc. But he headed straight for the goalkeeper. It was clear that his condition had not yet risen.

Chicago got ahead again. In the 25th minute of the second half, Jonathan Bamba shot directly from the right and pierced the LA FC goal.

Son Heung-min has started to play in front again in a situation where he was disadvantaged 1-2. 28 minutes into the second half. Son Heung-min, who rushed to the gate, kicked a low cross from the right side with a right heel kick. However, the goal was canceled when the defender cleared it.

After two shots were blocked, he penetrated the opponent's side with speed this time. 33 minutes into the second half. When Chicago's shot attempt hit the post, LA FC quickly went up the counterattack. Son Heung-min also ran with him. Hit the back space of the defense, receive a pass, and break through the box. It was soon time to shoot with the goalkeeper in a 1-1 situation.

However, Chicago defender Terran, who was chasing from behind, pushed Son Heung-min over. The referee did not blow the whistle.

However, after communicating with the video reading room, an on-field review was conducted to reexamine the scene at the time. It was a clear foul. In the end, a penalty was declared. Son Heung-min could have been a kicker himself, but he conceded to his colleague. Dennis Buanga played as a kicker and scored a precious equalizer chance obtained by Son Heung-min. After that, the two teams fought until the second half of the ninth minute of extra time, but they could not score any more goals.

Son Heung-min recorded 20 ball touches in 30 minutes of regular time on the day, recording three shots (one effective shot) and a 67% pass success rate (six successful attempts, nine attempts). Even though he didn't have time to create condition and work with his teammates, he created a golden equalizer. Statistics companies gave a rating of 6 points, but the influence and impact revealed behind the record were clearly different. LA FC must have got a new ace.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.