 |
| photo capture=MLS official website |
|
 |
| Photo capture=LA FC SNS |
|
'Son National' Son Heung-min (LAFC) has turned into 'Kingmaker' 'Heungbu Duo' Dennis Buanga has been reborn as the best player in MLS.
On the 4th (Korea time), the U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS) secretariat announced on its official channel that `LA FC striker Buanga was selected as MLS Player of the Month in September 2025.' The MLS Secretariat said 'Vuanga scored a league-high eight goals during the period. He scored nine offensive points, joining Inter Miami's Lionel Messi and LA FC teammate Son Heung-min for the league's most offensive points.'Buanga and LA FC confirmed their place in the MLS Cup playoffs for the fourth consecutive season in September. Since August, LAFC has recorded 5 wins, 1 loss and 2 draws. This is the second time in Buanga's career. 'Second MLS Player of the Month Honours after October 2023'
Son Heung-min's prophecy was right. LA FC released a video ahead of the match against Atlanta in which Son Heung-min told Buanga "You're going to be more fun. I'm gonna make you score more goals." In fact, Buanga met Son Heung-min and established himself as the best scorer in MLS. Buanga, who scored 13 goals in 21 matches, scored 10 goals in eight matches he played after Son's transfer. Buanga ranked second in MLS scoring with 23 goals.
Buanga's recent performance is remarkable. While scoring goals in four consecutive games, he scored hat tricks against San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake. He became the eighth player to score two hat tricks in three games. In the meantime, Son Heung-min scored a hat trick, becoming the first team in MLS history to produce a hat trick scorer for three consecutive games.
With 23 goals this season, Buanga became the first player in MLS history to score more than 20 goals in three consecutive seasons. He is close to becoming the second MLS top scorer after the 2023 season. Buanga became the first Los Angeles FC player to win the Player of the Month award twice since Carlos Vela, who won the `Legends.'
This is Son Heung-min's effect. Son Heung-min wore an LA FC uniform for the highest amount ever in MLS history of $26 million in August. MLS was shaken by the entry of a world-class striker who won the English Premier League's top scorer. Son Heung-min has performed on a different level since the opening game. In addition to his explosive speed, he still had his unique key pass ability. Buanga enjoyed the greatest benefit. When Son Heung-min dispersed the defense, Buanga's scoring ability exploded. LA FC coach Steve Cherundolo used the two players close to the two-top, further enhancing the scoring power of the two players. Asked if they were too dependent on each other, Cherundolo said `It's not just about two players,' `Son Heung-min and Buanga are doing a great job of finishing.'
With the explosion of the Buanga, LA FC emerged as a strong favorite. On the 1st, the MLS Secretariat released the 36th to 37th rounds of power ranking on its official website, and LA FC ranked second, up four places from last week. It is the highest ranking among MLS Western Conference teams. 'GOAT' was higher than Inter Miami (4th place) where Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez played. No. 1 in the MLS power rankings was the Philadelphia Union, the top team in the Eastern Conference.
The MLS secretariat said, `Son Heung-min and Buanga scored 17 goals in a row. In the last game, Buanga scored one goal and Son Heung-min scored multiple goals. With this victory, LA FC effectively secured a home playoff spot. Now it's within reach of third-place Minnesota. He said, 'We can even aim for the second place' and added, 'Wherever LA FC is located, will there be a team that can stop Buanga and Son Heung-min in the playoffs?'
The Athletic said, `Son Heung-min is not just adding to his outstanding skills, but also maximizing the potential of Buanga' Son Heung-min and Buanga are players who can change the game without constantly getting involved in ball possession. LAFC, which gained momentum through Buanga's speed, straightforward play and Son Heung-min's genius movements, enters the postseason with tremendous form, he said.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
