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| Photo capture=MLS SNS |
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| Photo capture=LA FC SNS |
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Will Son Heung-min (33, LA FC) walk Lionel Messi.
Son Heung-min is trying to win the championship from his first year in the U.S. On the 21st (Korea time), the U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS) Secretariat announced the news of LA FC's confirmation of its advance to the MLS Cup on its official SNS. LA FC secured seventh place in the Western Conference regardless of the remaining games, with St. Louis defeating San Jose on the 21st. LA FC is currently in fourth place with 47 points (13 wins, 8 draws and 7 losses) in 28 games.
MLS has a different system than Europe, as it unfolds in the United States. A total of 30 teams will participate in MLS, which was established in 1996. It will be divided into the Eastern Conference (15 teams) and the Western Conference (15 teams) and play 34 games per team (including six interleague games). The team with the highest points in the two conferences will win the 'Supporters Shield', which is the regular league champion. There is no relegation system like the U.S. sports that emphasize franchises.
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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Unlike most European leagues, which are played in a single league, MLS plays the playoff and championship game. First of all, the 8th to 9th teams in each conference will play a wild card match. Here, the winning team and the first, 2-7, 3-6, and 4-5th teams will clash in a best-of-three manner. Without extra time, the winner or loser will be determined unconditionally through a penalty shootout. The eight teams that won here will decide the winning team through a single match. Finally, the Eastern and Western Conference winners will compete for the MLS Cup.
LA FC is trying to win for the first time in three years. MLS made headlines by recruiting Son Heung-min from Tottenham this summer. After joining, he made an immediate impact with five goals and one assist, and is showing formidable chemistry with Dennis Buanga. Buanga has only one goal left to achieve 20 goals for three consecutive seasons. While the memories of winning the 2022 Audi MLS Cup are still fresh, can LA FC make coach Steve Cherundolo the champion who will leave for the last time this season?'
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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As MLS mentioned, LA FC is enjoying 'Son Heung-min effect'. Sports-specialized media Bein Sports said Son Heung-min overtook Messi to become the most popular player in MLS. The MLS reported that Korean idol Son Heung-min is experiencing a historical phenomenon, surpassing Messi in popularity and uniform sales.
Son Heung-min left the 10-year-old Tottenham (England) last month and changed into a uniform for LA FC. He made his MLS debut in the 16th minute of the second half against the Chicago Fire on August 10. Son Heung-min induced a penalty kick in the 32nd minute of the second half on the debut stage. Leading his team to a 2-2 draw, he pulled the team out of the brink of defeat. He delivered help in an away game against the New England Revolution on 17 August. He wrote his first offensive point as a member of LA FC.
On August 24, he opened the scoring with a fantastic free kick against Dallas. It was such a wonderful goal that the MLS Secretariat praised it as a `fantastic goal to hang in the Louvre.' Son Heung-min was selected as a member of this team 'Match Day 30'. Son Heung-min, who scored his debut goal, made his name confidently. After being selected for the first time in the 29th round last week, Son Heung-min was selected for the second consecutive week.
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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Son Heung-min's power was also strong outside the ground. Son Heung-min's first home game at LA FC was filled with 22,937 people '10,000 spectators'.
Son Heung-min is showing off his hot toes in September. In an away match in San Jose on the 14th, he watched 'Taste of Goal' less than a minute after the game started. LA FC won big, 4-2. He scored three goals in an away game against Real Salt Lake on the 18th. He scored the first goal three minutes into the game and scored an additional goal in the 16th minute of the first half. In the 37th minute of the second half, he completed a hat trick with the help of Buanga, leading his team to a 4-1 victory. Son Heung-min scored a hat trick six games after his MLS debut. In addition to being the most valuable player (MOM), he was also named in 'Player of the Matchday' (Migrant Player).
The BBC said, `Son Heung-min scored two goals in the 16th minute of the match, and finally scored a hat trick in the 37th minute of the second half.' Along with Son's performance, the BBC also shed light on Son's interview that `I'm really happy that I achieved my first hat trick in the MLS.' Son Heung-min said in a post-match interview that he enjoys playing for the club even if he doesn't score. Only played one game at home, but it doesn't matter. But it's still fun. I want to be helpful to the team and I'm enjoying every moment. I'm still adjusting, but I think I can do better than I do now."
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| Photo =Son Heung-min SNS capture |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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Son Heung-min finished his career at Tottenham before joining LA FC. He won the Europa League in the 2024-2025 season. It was his first win at Tottenham and his first major victory in his career. Son Heung-min, who has released his victory, is aiming to win the title from his first year in the U.S. Messi, who came to the U.S. stage after organizing the European stage, also won the 2023 League Cup and the 2024 Supporters' Shield.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
