"Son Heung-min's role has changed" The secret of 'SON 4 Help → LAFC 6 Goals Explosion' analyzed by MLS Secretariat

*This content was translated by AI.

As Son Heung-min (34, LAFC) led his team's 6-0 victory by achieving the first "four assists in the first half" in the history of the U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS), local people are paying attention to Son's "different role." Analysts say that Son Heung-min's role as a second striker, not a front-line striker, maximized the LAFC team's offense.

The MLS Secretariat reviewed the last six rounds of MLS games on its official website on the 7th (Korea Standard Time) and dealt with "Son Heung-min's new role" as the first theme. Earlier, Son Heung-min had a one-man show with four assists in the first half alone in the match against Orlando City held at BMO Stadium in LA on the 5th. Son Heung-min is the first in MLS history to record more than four assists in the first half. Son Heung-min is the second-ever player after Lionel Messi's fifth assist in the second half of 2024, even if he includes more than four assists in the second half. Four assists in a game is also Son's first career record.

The MLS secretariat analyzed, "LAFC coach Mark dos Santos changed Son Heung-min's role, and the change exploded LAFC's offense." Analysts say that although the opponent was sluggish, the use of Son Heung-min as a second striker was very effective. The fact that LAFC's score, which had never exceeded 1.3 (xG) before the game, scored as many as six goals was also considered to be a big change in Son Heung-min's role. Before the game, LAFC scored eight goals in five games and an average of 1.6 goals per game.

The MLS secretariat said, "Instead of keeping the ball as a front-line striker as before, Son Heung-min gave Nathan Ordas a physical fight or inclement task, and he received the ball and solved the game himself while looking forward." "In particular, LAFC's second goal scene shows this well." As Ordas competed for the ball, there was room for Son Heung-min to penetrate, and it was a perfect offensive development that accurately connected the pass to Dnie Vuanga, who was rushing."

In fact, Son Heung-min, who was in a somewhat sagging position in the counterattack at the time, received a pass that Ordas gave up after the ball competition. As the opposing defenders were concentrated on Ordas, the space opened up in front of Son Heung-min, and Son Heung-min connected an accurate penetration pass to Buanga, who penetrated the back space of the defense, drawing his team's second score. The MLS secretariat analyzed that Son Heung-min was placed in a sagging position and threw a burden of defense or ball competition, which had a great effect.

Coach dos Santos, who was newly appointed ahead of this season, was agonizing over how to use Son Heung-min, including using him as a central midfielder as well as the front line. In the midst of this, Son Heung-min seems to have found a new way to use it by deploying him as a sagging striker. The MLS secretariat said, "The new role may not be a perfect fit for Son Heung-min in every game," but added, "LAFC has shown another way to utilize this superstar."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.