Uniforms sold out + Ticket prices skyrocket This is Son Heung-min's effect. The fourth biggest media in MLS history has never seen such a star

Aug 13, 2025

This is the 'Son Heung-min effect'. Major League Soccer (MLS) is smiling at the effect of Son Heung-min.

There is a craze for Son Heung-min in the U.S. The United States 'Front Office Sports' reported that Son Heung-min's uniform sales ranked second in MLS overall after Lionel Messi, who joined Inter Miami in August 2023. As of LA FC online shops, all home uniforms marked with Son Heung-min are sold out except for the largest 3XL size. It is a surprising response considering the uniform price, which is 194.99 dollars (about 271,000 won) per sheet.

It's not just that. Tickets for the San Diego FC match, which will be held at LA BMO Stadium at 11:30 a.m. on the 1st of next month, are also soaring. Even the cheapest supporters' area costs $200 (about 270,000 won). Seats close to the center line soared to 1,500 dollars (about 2.09 million won).

Son Heung-min's joining video on the LA FC club's YouTube channel received 210,000 views, and his debut video against Chicago received 400,000 views. 'Front Office Sports' stated that Son Heung-min's press conference video received more than 90 times higher views than that of the existing LAFC YouTube channel.

Son Heung-min's 'Conquering the United States' has begun. 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 (Korea time). Son Heung-min scored a tie penalty with a sharp movement. LA FC drew 2-2 amid Son Heung-min's performance.

It was an earlier debut than expected. LA FC announced on the club's channel the day before that `Son Heung-min left Chicago with the team.' He then revealed that Son Heung-min qualified to play in the match against Chicago. Son Heung-min, who joined the team on the 7th, said "My goal is to play as fast as possible" There was no problem with my condition. Son Heung-min said, `You don't have to worry about your physical condition because you played well in the pre-season.'

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 started on the bench. The camera and the broadcaster's eyes were on Son Heung-min. In fact, he was the main character of the first half. Son Heung-min 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.

Son Heung-min's movement became busy as he was dragged 1-2. The 27th minute counterattack situation, the cutback came up from the right. Son Heung-min created a shooting opportunity with a great off-the-ball movement. He jumped in and tried a backhill kick, but he came out after facing the opponent's defense.

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. 'Ace' Dennis Vuanga 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 evaluated that 'a 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.

The U.S. 'Sports Illustrated' said that the past week would have been a busy one for Son Heung-min, 33, but it did not stop his efforts to make his MLS debut as soon as possible. 'His debut performance couldn't be better. He showed a variety of cool scenes, including PK judo' was well received. LA FC coach Steve Cherundolo also said, `It didn't take long to explain what tactics our team is using to a player of the level of Son Heung-min. He is remarkably clever, and full of talent.'

Son Heung-min said "I had a lot of fun. It was the first time I had been greeted so warmly on the road. I was happy to see people enjoying soccer. It's really nice to be here."It was a draw, but it was a game we should have won. I regret it a little bit. Next week's game is also being prepared. I ran for about 30 minutes today and made my body. I look forward to starting next week through collaboration with my colleagues."

After the game, this atmosphere became even hotter. Kevin Egan, host of the MLS Professional Analysis Program 'MLS LabUp' provided by MLS exclusive broadcaster 'Apple TV', said "We are delighted to have one of the world's beloved superstars come to MLS" MLS commentator Das McCarty also said `Son Heung-min still has the speed at which he threatened Premier League teamsIf a world-class superstar like Son Heung-min joins, all the players in the locker room will gain 5 to 10 percent more strength. Son Heung-min is a player who can raise his team's level with his skills and leadership, and above all, he has the humility to look back on himself first."

Another commentator, Sasha Clestan, wrote, `Son Heung-min's debut was impressive. Son Heung-min immediately picked up the ball after Buanga's penalty went in and made a gesture saying, `We still have 10 minutes left, so let's win 3 points.'`"Son Heung-min was more threatening than all of Olivier Giroud's performances at LAFC in 30 minutes. LAFC recruited a really good player", he commented.

McCarty said, "When a world-class superstar like Son joins, all the players in the locker room will gain 5 to 10 percent more strength," adding, "Son Heung-min is a player who can raise his team's level with his skills and leadership, and above all, he has the humility to look back on himself first."He even praised Son's attitude.

Fabian Renkel, a reporter exclusively for MLS, said on his personal channel on the 13th that San Francisco, Chicago, San Diego, Seattle, and New York have searched for Son Heung-min the most in the past week, except `LA. Son's enthusiasm for recruitment is comparable to that of Lionel Messi." If Messi's debut in 2023 felt like a prelude to a new era for MLS, Son Heung-min's debut reminded him that MLS could still grow two years later.

The U.S. magazine, Sports Illustrated, ranked Son Heung-min as the fourth most star player in MLS' 30-year history, having played only one game. First place is Lionel Messi, second place is David Beckham, and third place is Thomas Muller, a former German national striker who joined the Vancouver Whitecaps after his recent contract with Bayern Munich ended. Son Heung-min came in fourth.

Sports Illustrated'LAFC has recruited Gareth Bale and others in the past, but there has been no player on the same level as Son Heung-min, who spent 10 years in the Premier League, and Son Heung-min, the best player in Korean history, will now become a star in and out of L.A.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.