Son Heung-min, the 'strongest team in Honduras,' hunted Costa Rica for the Champions Cup... 2nd goal of the season, Jung Jo-joon

*This content was translated by AI.

Son Heung-min (34, Los Angeles FC) will continue to challenge the North Korea-China-U.S. stage. Son Heung-min, who announced his robustness by scoring one goal and three assists in just one game, will hunt for his second goal of the season this time.

Son Heung-min's team LAFC will play the first round of the 2026 North American Caribbean Football Confederation (CONCACAF) Champions Cup at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California at 12 p.m. on the 11th (Korea time).

LAFC advanced to the round of 16 by defeating Real Spain (Honduras) 7-1 in the previous first round. Son Heung-min drove LAFC to the round of 16 with one goal and three assists in the first match against Real Spain.

Earlier, LAFC had succeeded in advancing to the next round in all four previous round series. On the other hand, his opponent, Alahuelense, is a powerhouse who has won three consecutive Central American Cups, and this is his 7th career advance to the round of 16.

The two teams met in the group stage of the Champions Cup in the past and exchanged 1 win and 1 loss. In total score, LAFC leads 2-1.

North Korea, China and the U.S. are also paying attention to Son Heung-min. The CONCACAF official channel showed high expectations by selecting Son Heung-min and Dennis Buanga as key players for the game ahead of the match.

Son Heung-min has scored one goal in five games under new coach Mark dos Santos this season with no field goals and only one penalty. He has been scoreless for four consecutive games. Compared to the explosive power that he scored 12 goals in 13 games under former coach Steven Cherundolo last season, his scoring pace seems to have fallen, but he has scored one goal and five assists in five games, and his ability to produce offensive points stands day by day.

First of all, coach dos Santos doesn't seem to care at all about Son Heung-min's scoring drought. In an official LAFC video, coach Dos Santos said, "(Son Heung-min's) goal will soon burst. "Every player has difficult times," Son said. "Son Heung-min has already scored one goal and five assists in five games and induced two opposing red cards. "Imagine our team when Son Heung-min and Buanga burst perfectly," he said, giving strong trust.

Son Heung-min was particularly strong on the stage of the North American Champions Cup. In the first round of the first round against Real Spain, he showed a phenomenal performance with one goal and three assists with only one shot (penalty kick).

His condition is also at its best. In the second game, coach Dos Santos is playing only 45 minutes in the first half amid thorough physical management. Coach Dos Santos said, "Son Heung-min has not had a perfect pre-season, so it is important to keep finding the rhythm of the game," adding, "I told the two players in advance that I would play only the first half, and the players agreed."

The defense's stability is also helping LAFC's rise. LAFC has allowed only one run in its last five games.

LAFC's long-cherished dream is to win the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup. LAFC has reached the final twice, but there is no championship yet, coach dos Santos said. This is a big dream and ambition for us," he said, strengthening his will to win.

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*This content was translated by AI.