Son Heung-min nets 1st goal of MLS season

Son Heung-min finally broke his goal-scoring drought in Major League Soccer (MLS) with a crucial strike that helped Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) secure a 3-0 victory over the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, on Friday local time. The South Korean international netted his first league goal of the season in the 58th minute, finishing from the edge of the penalty area to extend LAFC’s lead to three goals. It marked his first goal in his 14th appearance of the campaign, following two goals in the Concacaf Champions Cup earlier in the year. Son’s goal came after a period of relative quiet in MLS, where he had struggled to find the back of the net despite maintaining a high assist tally. He remains tied for the league lead with nine assists, showcasing his continued influence on the field even without finding the scoresheet regularly. The goal also signified his return to form after a brief absence from the team following South Korea’s early exit from the FIFA World Cup group stage in late June. During that tournament, South Korea secured one win and two losses in Group A, with Son playing a key role in their campaign. Before rejoining LAFC, Son took a break to celebrate his 34th birthday at home on July 8. He described the time away as essential for regaining mental clarity and preparing for the remainder of the season. “I got to spend some quality time with quality people back home,” he said after the match. “I was able to recover mentally. I knew I had a long drought, but I wasn’t worried. My focus was always on the level of my performance.” LAFC’s victory was built on a strong team effort, with Mark Delgado opening the scoring in the 26th minute. Delgado’s goal set the tone for the match, and Denis Bouanga extended the lead in the 45th minute after being fouled in the penalty area by LA Galaxy’s Justin Haak. Despite being given the chance to take the spot kick himself, Son opted to hand the responsibility to Bouanga, who had previously taken penalties for the club. Bouanga converted the opportunity, scoring his team-leading sixth goal of the MLS season and his 11th goal in all competitions. “I had been the penalty taker long before I got here,” Son explained, acknowledging Bouanga’s experience and confidence in taking such opportunities. “He fully deserved to take the penalty. I wanted him to feel comfortable there.” Bouanga’s goal proved pivotal, giving LAFC a commanding lead heading into the second half. With the win, LAFC climbed to 27 points in the Western Conference standings, securing eight victories, three draws, and five losses. The result solidified their position in third place, reflecting their consistent performance throughout the season. Son’s goal added momentum to the team’s efforts, providing both personal satisfaction and a boost for the squad ahead of future matches. Son’s return to form comes at a critical juncture for LAFC, as they continue to compete for playoff positioning in the tightly contested Western Conference. His ability to contribute both through assists and goals will be vital as the team aims to maintain its strong finish in the regular season. With the post-World Cup break behind him, Son appears focused on helping LAFC achieve its objectives while continuing to build on his individual success in MLS.