"Forget about the goaltender, Sonny?"" U.S. media pays attention to Son Heung-min's 'self-help'... "L.A.F.C is doing well after 10 times"

*This content was translated by AI.

Some criticize that Son Heung-min (34, LA FC) is slow to score at the beginning of the season is meaningless. The U.S. is also evaluating this as a change in the team's tactics and Son Heung-min's dedication.

In a column on the 19th (Korea Standard Time), "Fitchside US," which specializes in U.S. soccer, said, "If you look at Son Heung-min's superficial figures, it may seem like he started the season slow." However, the actual detailed indicators and the contents of the game are completely different, he reported.

The media cited the scene against St. Louis City in the fourth round of the U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS) on the 15th as a key basis. "On this day, Son Heung-min created a perfect chance for Dennis Buanga with an accurate pass heading into the box, but Buanga missed it," he said.

"It's not on the record, but this scene accurately represents Son Heung-min's role at LA FC," he explained. Rather than aiming for a direct goal, he is leading the attack and making his teammates shine more, such as David Martinez and Nathan Ordas.

The actual record also supports this. Son Heung-min has scored one goal and six assists in eight games in all tournaments since the opening of the 2026 season. In four MLS regular season games, he had no goals and only two assists. The media analyzed, "Son Heung-min is playing the role of a practical 'No. 10 (playmaker)' who comes down to the space between midfielders and strikers, attracts defenders, and opens up space for colleagues," adding, "We are focusing on creating opportunities rather than shooting."

The background of this change is related to the tactics of new coach Mark dos Santos. "Coach Santos placed Son Heung-min on the center-oriented second line, not the traditional left winger, to connect the play and disperse the defensive gaze," the media said.

It is explained that Son Heung-min was given a degree of freedom in the center by reversely using the opponent's intensive checks. The media said, "Son Heung-min has accepted the reduced proportion of scoring without apparent complaints, and is prioritizing the structure of the team over individual performance."

"The willingness and self-esteem to play outside the main position allowed LA FC to flexibly disperse its offensive missions," he said. "It is also a contrast to other star players who are injured while owning the ball excessively."

The outcome of the tactical change is successful. Son Heung-min's score has decreased, but LA FC has been on a four-game winning streak (8 points without losing any points) since the opening of the MLS and has advanced to the round of 16 at the North-China Champions Cup.

Of course, there is a debate about Son Heung-min's reduced scoring ability, a former top scorer in the English Premier League (EPL), as to whether the team is maximizing his strengths. The media pointed out, "It shows the tension between individual performance and team balance when using global icons."

"Considering Son Heung-min's involvement in the game, the score will naturally follow as the season progresses," he said. "The key is whether to adjust him back to a position close to the goal in more important games in the future. For now, Son Heung-min is playing as a playmaker rather than a major scorer, and it is working successfully," he predicted positively.

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*This content was translated by AI.