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| AFP Yonhap News |
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You don't need an explanation. As expected, Son Heung-min (LAFC). Multi-goal, one-man show. However, he missed the penalty kick and failed to go to the finals.
LA FC lost 3-4 in the shootout of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoff (PO) Western Conference semifinals against the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada on the 23rd (Korea time) after drawing 2-2 after 120 minutes of overtime.
LA FC and Son Heung-min's season has come to an end. Vancouver advanced to the Western Conference finals for the first time in the club's history. Son Heung-min also failed to surpass Thomas Muller of Vancouver.
Los Angeles FC coach Steve Cherundolo brought up the 3-4-3 system. Son Heung-min was paired with De Ni Vuanga and Nathan Ordas in the front line. Midfeed was lined with Ryan Hollingshead, Mark Delgado, Timothy Tillman and Sergiy Palencia. Eddie Segura, Nkosi Tapari and Ryan Portiers formed the three-back. The goal was defended by Hugo Lloris.
Vancouver coach Jesper Sørensen countered with a 4-2-3-1 card. With Brian White in the one-top, Ali Ahmed, Müller and Emmanuel Sabi were in the second line. Sebastian Berholter and Andres Kubas were the defensive midfielders. Matthias Lavorda, Ralph Friso, Tristan Blackman and Edier Ocampo were located in the four-back. The goalkeeper's gloves were worn by Yohei Takaoka.
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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Vancouver led the first half with a home advantage. LA FC thoroughly deployed counterattacks-oriented tactics, but the ball rarely went to Son Heung-min.
Vancouver scored LaBorda's first shot in the eighth minute of the first half from a free-kick. He fired another shot six minutes later, but it was in front of Lloris. In Vancouver, Ahmed hit a strong ground ball in the 17th minute of the first half, but the ball fell into Lloris' arms.
Mueller was the center of the Vancouver attack. I constantly sprinkled cheeks on my colleagues. Vancouver's two opponents defended the net when Son Heung-min caught the ball early in the first half. After the middle of the first half, he came down to the midfield and received the ball to attack, but the number of shots was 'Zero'.
Vancouver scored two goals in the first half to gain the upper hand. The 0-0 balance was broken in the 39th minute. Vancouver goalkeeper Takaoka from Japan showed off his help. His long kick connected to Xavi. Xavi shook the net with his right foot when Hugo Lloris came out. Takaoka recorded his first help in 111 MLS games.
Müller was warned in the 43rd minute of the first half in the process of restraining LA FC's counterattack. In the 46th minute of the first half, Vancouver's additional goal was scored in a corner kick situation. Müller's header was struck by Lloris. Laborda scored an extra goal.
Cheruldolo switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation at the start of the second half. With the exception of Ordas and Tapari, Andrew Moran and David Martinez were put in. LA FC launched a wave of attacks at the start of the second half.
Son Heung-min was caught by the opponent's defense in the second minute of the second half, but recorded his first shot. In the 7th minute of the second half, Buanga had a decisive opportunity, but his left foot shot was weak. Three minutes later, Moran scored a shot but was blocked by the opponent's goalkeeper.
The twisted knot eventually unraveled Son Heung-min. He scored a comeback goal in the 15th minute of the second half. Delgado's pass was connected to Son Heung-min through Moran's header. Son Heung-min shook the net after three shots in a mixed game at the gate. The first shot was blocked by the goalkeeper. The second shot was cleared by Laborda before it went through the goal line He hit it again with a left-footed shot to shake the net. In the 18th minute of the second half, Son Heung-min drew a warning from Blackman in the process of breaking through.
In Vancouver, Blackman had a decisive opportunity in the 32nd minute of the second half in the set piece, but was blocked by Lloris' defense. In the 38th minute of the second half, Hollingshead tried to equalize with a header from a set piece, but the ball slightly missed the goal.
The extra time in the second half was nine minutes. Müller was replaced in the 47th minute of the second half due to muscle spasms. Blackman was sent off in the second inning of a warning while stopping Buanga. LA FC got a free kick from the left side of the penalty box. MLS 'Goal of the Year' has been replayed. A free kick goal in the A-match friendly against Bolivia was copied on the 14th.
Son Heung-min's right-footed free-kick poked a picturesque trajectory into the corner of Vancouver's goal. It was a crazy chapter for LAFC, which dramatically tied the game.
In the fifth minute of the second half of extra time, Vancouver's Belal Hidalny, who was replaced, was out due to injury. Vancouver ran out of replacement cards and fought with nine players. However, LA FC failed to shake the net in the end.
There were mixed feelings of joy and sorrow in the penalty shootout. Son Heung-min, the first kicker, missed. The ball that left his foot hit the post. Delgado, the third kicker, also failed to shake the net. Vancouver's No. 4 kicker, Ocampo, was caught by Lloris, but four people scored. Vancouver plays the San Diego - Minnesota winner in the Western Conference final.
Son Heung-min ended his 10-year companionship with Tottenham in August and opted for a new challenge in MLS. LA FC was different before and after Son Heung-min. He was considered a strong favorite. But it didn't exceed Vancouver. Son Heung-min scored nine goals and three assists in 10 regular league games. He also scored two goals and one assist in three playoff games.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
