*This content was translated by AI.
Son Heung-min (34, Los Angeles FC), who is conquering the stage of the North American Champions Cup, will start three consecutive games and hunt for his second goal of the season.
Son Heung-min's team LAFC unveiled its starting lineup ahead of a home game against LD Alahuelense (Costa Rica) in the first round of the round of 16 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).
Son Heung-min was listed as the center striker in the 4-3-3 formation. Dennis Buanga and Timothy Tillman are placed on both wings to form an offensive team with Son Heung-min.
Marco Delgado, Amin Budri and Mathieu Shuaniere are in the midfield, while Ryan Hollingshead, Nkosi Tapari, Ryan Porteous and Serhiy Palencia are in the four backs. The goalkeeper's gloves are worn by Hugo Lloris.
As a result, Son Heung-min proved to be a key striker in the team by being included in the starting list for three consecutive games in North Korea and the U.S. from the first round to the first round of the tournament.
LAFC advanced to the round of 16 with a 7-1 aggregate score over Real Spain (Honduras) in the previous first round. At that time, Son Heung-min directly led his team's advance to the round of 16 with a phenomenal performance of one goal and three assists, including penalty points, in the first game.
Currently, Son Heung-min has scored one goal on penalties alone in five games under new coach Mark dos Santos. Although field goals have not been scored in the last four consecutive games, they have scored one goal and five assists in five games, showing off their sharp offensive point productivity. "Son Heung-min's goal will soon burst," coach dos Santos said in an official LAFC video, adding, "He has already scored one goal and five assists in five games and has induced two opposing red cards."
His condition is smooth, too. In the second game of the first round, coach Dos Santos maintained the rhythm of the game by allowing Son Heung-min to play only 45 minutes in the first half to arrange his physical strength. Coach Dos Santos explained at the time that Son Heung-min did not completely spend the pre-season, so it is important to keep finding the rhythm of the game.
His opponent, Alahuelense, is a Costa Rican powerhouse who has won three consecutive Central American Cups and has advanced to the round of 16 for the seventh time in his career. The two teams, which met in the group stage of the Champions Cup in the past, have exchanged one win and one loss. In total score, LAFC leads 2-1.
The CONCACAF official channel showed high expectations by selecting Son Heung-min and Buanga as key players for the match ahead of the match. LAFC's long-cherished desire to win the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup. There are no championship cups yet even after two finals.
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*This content was translated by AI.
