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| AFP Yonhap News |
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| AP Yonhap News |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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Destiny is so mean. I worked hard alone. Thomas Müller (36, Vancouver) was shabby. LA FC dedicated two goals in the first half alone.
Son Heung-min (33) pulled LA FC out of the quagmire with a one-man show. He scored a comeback goal in the 15th minute of the second half. Mark Delgado's pass was connected to Son Heung-min through Andrew Moran's header. He shook the net after three shots in a chaotic situation at the gate. The first shot came from the goalkeeper, the second shot from Matthias Lavorda's head just before it went through the goal line. He responded with a left-footed shot and shook the net.
In the second half, another dramatic 50 minutes 'Son Heung-min Show' was held. The U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS) 'Goal of the Year' has been reenacted. 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. LA FC's bench was a frenzy.
Vancouver had no power. Tristan Blackman was sent off for two warnings in the process of conceding a free kick. There was also a lot of bad news. Müller was replaced in the first two minutes of extra time due to muscle spasms. In the fifth minute of the second half of extra time, Belal Hidalny, who was replaced, was out due to injury. Vancouver ran out of replacement cards and fought with nine players. But 'Goddess of Victory' did not smile at LA FC in the end. He failed to score a comeback goal.
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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| AP Yonhap News |
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Son Heung-min, who played two games in his home country of South Korea during the A-match period, was physically full. In the end, joy and sorrow were mixed in the penalty shootout, which was 'God's roulette game'. Vancouver, which endured the extension, had a psychological advantage. The first kicker of LA FC was Son Heung-min. The goalkeeper was completely deceived. But the ball that left his foot hit the post. After the miss, I couldn't even walk properly due to cramps. LA FC couldn't shake the net even with the third kicker Delgado. Vancouver scored four goals.
LA FC lost 3-4 in the penalty shootout after drawing 2-2 after 120 minutes of overtime against the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada on the 23rd (Korea time). LA FC and Son Heung-min's 2025 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 did not exceed Mueller. However, its presence was incomparable.
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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Son Heung-min ended his 10-year companionship with Tottenham last August and opted for a new challenge in MLS. LA FC was completely different before and after Son Heung-min. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) in the east and Son Heung-min in the west have established a new equation.
On this day, a new history was written. Tickets are already sold out. The Vancouver club has reserved the largest number of spectators at home in the playoffs. Vancouver also achieved the highest number of spectators ever. In April, 53,957 people gathered, more than 53,837 in the first round of the North-China Champions Cup semifinals against Inter Miami, where Messi is located.
Son Heung-min couldn't get up for a while on his stomach after the defeat was confirmed. Unable to raise his head, he went straight to the locker room.
Although he failed to reach the top, Son Heung-min took the MLS perfectly, scoring 12 goals and four assists in 13 games. Vancouver surpassed LA FC despite Son Heung-min's magic' he said.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
