Son Heung-min's sudden silence of '13 games with 12 goals → no field goals' and the new coach's honest remarks, "I think it's going to explode soon..."

*This content was translated by AI.

After replacing the Los Angeles FC head coach, the scoring pace seems to have suddenly dropped. The new head coach expressed his honest feelings to Son Heung-min (34), who has been silent on field goals this season.

LAFC won 1-0 at home against FC Dallas in the third round of the 2026 U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS) at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on the 8th (Korea time).

Son Heung-min, who started as the center striker in the 4-3-3 formation, played full season and led his team to its fifth consecutive win in official games.

However, if you look at Son Heung-min's recent record, it is clear that his scoring ability has declined. In the five games played since Marc dos Santos took office, Son Heung-min has scored one goal only on penalties without field goals.

He still has the ability to produce offensive points by scoring one goal and five assists, but the difference is big compared to his performance last season. Son Heung-min showed an explosive power of nearly one goal per game with 12 goals and three assists in 13 games under former coach Steven Cherundolo last season, but under coach Dos Santos this season, he seems to have focused on the role of a playmaker.

According to LAFC's official video, coach dos Santos said of Son Heung-min's scoreless league, "It's going to explode soon. "Every player has difficult times," Son said. "Son Heung-min has already scored one goal and five assists in five games. He also induced two opposing red cards. "Imagine the team when Son Heung-min and Dennis Buanga burst perfectly," he said, expressing high expectations.

Meanwhile, Son Heung-min's unusual warning scene drew attention at the beginning of the game. Around the 10th minute of the first half, Son Heung-min collapsed while trying to beat the goalkeeper in front of the Dallas goal, but the referee decided there was no contact, so he took out a yellow card according to the simulation action. This is the first warning Son Heung-min received since entering the U.S. stage in August last year.

In the field, questions about Son Heung-min's yellow card were poured out one after another. In response, coach dos Santos said, "At first, I thought it was a penalty, but it wasn't. "It is difficult to directly answer the player's thoughts, just guessing from Son Heung-min's reaction," he said, "As he is an experienced and strong player, the scene would not have had a big impact on Son Heung-min."

Coach Dos Santos also provided a detailed analysis of the game on the day. Regarding Dallas' defense, which has a large number in the midfield, he said, "It was really difficult because Dallas is very physical and has a good right to provide," adding, "It was another type of difficulty with Real Spain, Miami and Houston. If it were last year, I might have lost 0-1 to a set piece in a game like this," he said, adding to the victory.

The team's patience was highly appreciated in the final goal scene. "When Dallas fell to 5-4-1, it was mainly because Buanga changed his direction instead of forcing it in," coach dos Santos said. "The ball was turned outside and Martinez's left-footed shot led to three points."

He also did not forget his praise for the defense and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. "I've only allowed one goal in five games. "This is a tremendous achievement," he said. "In particular, World Cup champion Lloris showed amazing defense. He is a leader who says really good things every time he opens his mouth. He stressed that he also has great talent.

LAFC, which has won five consecutive official games, is now set to play against Alahuelense in the round of 16 of the North-China American Caribbean Federation (CONCACAF) Champions Cup. "The game against Allahuellensse is very important," coach Dos Santos said. We will recover well and release the players in the best physical condition possible, he said.

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*This content was translated by AI.