What a bummer! Debut goal! First MLS starter Son Heung-min missed his shot in the 26th minute of the first half and LAFC finished with 00 in the first half

Aug 17, 2025

'LA Man' Son Heung-min (33, LA FC) unfortunately missed the opportunity to score his debut goal.

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).

Son Heung-min is on the starting list for the first time since entering the U.S. 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.

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 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.

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 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.

Son Heung-min said after the game, `It was 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."

Son Heung-min, who preheated, immediately took the main position. He seemed to struggle somewhat in artificial turf and high humidity. Son Heung-min made 23 touches in the first 45 minutes, recording one shot, one opportunity creation, 100% (2/2), 89% (17/19) pass success rate, and 67% (2/3) ground competition success rate. 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.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.