'What on earth should we do?' Son Heung-min, 'zero shots' worst slump... 'Shaking head + muttering' angry bench exit

*This content was translated by AI.

Son Heung-min (34, LAFC), who rarely shows dissatisfaction, displayed an unprecedented reaction to such a dismal performance. In a situation where goals were desperately needed, Son Heung-min expressed frustration by shaking his head and muttering after being called off by the coach.

Son Heung-min's team, LAFC, drew 0-0 with Colorado in a 2026 Major League Soccer (MLS) Round 9 home match held at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, USA, at 11:30 a.m. (Korean time) on the 23rd. LAFC, which had recorded two consecutive losses, added one point to its tally, maintaining third place in the Western Conference with five wins, two draws, and two losses (17 points), but continued its worst-ever form of two draws and two losses in its last four matches.

Son Heung-min's performance on the day was non-existent. He failed to record a single shot until he was substituted in the 31st minute of the second half. According to statistics specialist media 'FootMob', Son Heung-min left behind metrics indicating he was virtually not involved in the game at all: zero shots, 18 touches, zero successful dribbles, and seven passes. His rating was only 6.4.

Since coach Dos Santos took over, LAFC's chronic offensive problems have been holding Son Heung-min back. Under Dos Santos, the destructive power of Son Heung-min and Danyo Bouanga has significantly diminished. Son Heung-min has not scored a single goal in eight MLS matches this season, managing only six assists. The display of 12 goals and three assists in 13 matches from last season is gone. Bouanga, who exploded with 26 goals in 32 matches last season, has also been limited to four goals in eight matches this season.

Tactical limitations appear clear. With no space opening up inside the opponent's box, Son Heung-min or Bouanga would simply pass the ball to the outside, and midfielders would repeatedly attempt meaningless long-range shots.

Coach Dos Santos took the drastic measure of moving Son Heung-min to the central midfield position in a 4-3-3 formation to break the losing streak, but this backfired. Son Heung-min tried to coordinate with Mark Delgado and Mathieu Choiniere in midfield but struggled even to record a ball touch.

In fact, LAFC left behind the shocking record of zero team shots throughout the first half. Possession was squeezed down to 2-8, and the match would have collapsed early had it not been for Hugo Lloris's saves. Amidst the frustrating flow, even Son Heung-min's exquisite out-front pass attempted in the 43rd minute of the first half was blocked by the opposing defense, causing Son Heung-min's expression to turn cold. In the 12th minute of the second half, Bouanga's shot hit the crossbar and bounced out, and goal luck was not on their side.

Ultimately, coach Dos Santos pulled the incomprehensible substitution card of calling Son Heung-min off in the 31st minute of the second half. Son Heung-min, heading to the bench, could not hide his dissatisfaction by vigorously shaking his head or muttering. He also exchanged words with the coaching staff and Haifa with a somewhat irritable expression.

LAFC, which had suffered a 1-4 defeat after conceding an additional goal from Timo Werner in the previous San Jose match, ended the Colorado match in a draw without finding a tactical solution.

Moreover, LAFC faces a grueling schedule ahead. In just three days, they will face Minnesota United in an MLS match, and on the 30th, they will meet Chivas (Mexico) in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals.

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

*This content was translated by AI.