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| AFP Yonhap News |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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Son Heung-min made his first appearance on the LA FC home stage. However, it was a debut match with a lot of disappointment.
LA FC lost 1-2 in the 31st round of the 2025 U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS) against San Diego FC at BMO Stadium in LA, California on the 1st (Korea time). Son Heung-min played full time, but failed to score an offensive point. I drank my first bitter cup of defeat since joining LAFC. The flow of one win and two draws stopped.
Son Heung-min once again played as a one-top player. We got off to a good start. LA FC opened the goal 15 minutes into the first half. David Martinez stabbed a sharp left-footed long pass from the right near the center circle, and it was amazingly connected to Dennis Vuanga, who was digging into the back space. Buanga shook the San Diego net with his right foot.
But San Diego's background was terrifying. Rosano scored an equalizer in the 33rd minute of the first half, followed by Dreyer's come-from-behind winning goal in the 21st minute of the second half.
Son Heung-min cried at the bad luck of the goal. It was 33 minutes in the second half. After receiving the ball in front of the arc, he hit a right-footed shot from his mind, but the ball flowed out after hitting the right post.
That's not all. Son Heung-min attempted his signature left foot swirling shot in the 44th minute of the first half, but was blocked by the opponent's goalkeeper's super save. In the 28th minute of the second half, he received a pass from the back and smashed the back with explosive speed. The opposing tackle was caught just before the shot, but the assistant referee raised the offside flag. But Son's position was clearly onside.
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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Son Heung-min attended the press conference with Buanga after the game. He said "I didn't have any problems with the position because I originally played number nine. However, today's game was a little difficult. With the opponent's way of playing, we also had to move more compressed and win the ball as far ahead as possible. Still, we played well and created chances. There was no problem with that part"But if the goal had been scored in the situation where I hit the goal, no one would have said anything else. In the end, the result is important. I was happy to make my home debut. But as a result, this was not our night. Still, I'm proud of the team's great effort. I think I was unlucky not to bring three points today" he lamented.
As for the chemistry with my colleagues "To be honest, the last three weeks have been really busy. But it was expected, and I was happy to have a new experience. Now I feel like I'm gradually stabilizing. In a few weeks, I will be ready and able to concentrate on soccer. And it's getting along pretty well with Dennis, David and Nathan. There was a great pass from David and a great goal from Dennis again today. But in fact, we should have finished stronger, and we got the opponent back to the game. But combinations and breathing are getting better and better. When I return from the A-match schedule, I will probably have two very important months waiting. We need to put more effort into it."
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| AP Yonhap News |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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BMO Stadium was rippled with Taegeukgi, reminiscent of the Seoul World Cup Stadium. Son Heung-min said, `I've experienced a lot of great stadiums, but today was really special. It's even more upsetting because the fans were so great. Fans today deserve at least one goal or point. The fans were fantastic. I'm looking forward to the next home game, and it really felt like home. I've been looking forward to tonight, and it's a shame I've let the fans down. But you have to look up and accept this result. You can't always win in the professional world. We must respect and accept the results. I will work harder and come back stronger.'
And "I'm grateful for the hard work the players have done, and by comparison, I think I was a little unlucky not to bring results. In the meantime, I tried my best to play my role, and I hope that helped the players. In a game like this, the players have to play a decisive role, but I feel a little sorry for the players because I couldn't do that today. I want to adjust to the situation faster and make a more definite decision", he explained.
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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Son Heung-min also said, `No matter where I go, I've never thought that it's natural for many fans to always support me and give me a lot of support and love. I always try to express my appreciation, but I'm not sure if it works. What made me feel like a special player today was that many fans came to support me, bring the Korean national flag, wear my uniform, and wear many different uniforms, so I think I was full of patriotism. I don't take these things for granted for a day or a second. I'm sure there were people from Korea today, but I'll do my best in my position so that you can always come and support me as a proud Korean"I vowed.
It's an A-match break. Son Heung-min will be called up to Hong Myung-bo and enter the national team. He added "It's just been a while since I joined, and I'm here to win, so every day the game is important. I don't think I can afford to think until next season yet. Of course, next season is important, but more importantly, we still have to move up the rankings, so we can play in better condition in the playoffs"You have to focus on this part and play it. I hope I can go to the national team, do well, and wrap up the rest of the season with good form," he added.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
