Even with seven shots, he couldn't break through! Son Heung-min fails to score his first goal again in the 'Korean Derby' against Kim Ki-hee... LAFC secures a narrow 1-0 victory over Seattle

*This content was translated by AI.

Son Heung-min (34) and Kim Ki-hee (37) played the full 90 minutes in the 'Korean Derby,' but the anticipated first goal did not materialize.

LAFC defeated Seattle Sounders 1-0 in their 2026 Major League Soccer (MLS) home match held at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles (LA), USA, at 10:15 a.m. (Korean time) on the 25th.

Breaking their three-game winning streak, LAFC moved up to fifth place with 24 points (7 wins, 3 draws, 5 losses). Seattle also finished with 24 points (7 wins, 3 draws, 3 losses), securing sixth place.

Son Heung-min's first league goal of the season failed to materialize once again. In the MLS this season, Son Heung-min has recorded no goals but nine assists. Despite taking a total of seven shots, he ultimately failed to find the back of the net. Son Heung-min will now head to the national team's base camp in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

With Son Heung-min and Kim Ki-hee both starting side by side today, the 'Korean Derby' took place. Son Heung-min lined up as the forward in a 4-3-3 formation. Kim Ki-hee, making his first appearance of the season, started as the left center-back in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

LAFC dominated the early stages of the match by maintaining high ball possession. Son Heung-min also actively attempted dribbling breakthroughs and penetrating spaces from the start, displaying dynamic movement.

Son Heung-min took his first shot in the third minute of the first half. In a counterattack, he drove into the right side of the penalty box, shook off the defense, and shot, but the ball ultimately hit a defender. Four minutes later, he struck a ground ball from outside the box, but the goalkeeper caught it squarely.

Another bold shot came in the 33rd minute of the first half. After a dribbling breakthrough, Son Heung-min used individual skills to unsettle the defense from the arc circle and took a left-footed shot, but the defense blocked it again.

Son Heung-min's 'rain shower of shots' continued. In the 38th minute of the first half, Fortes, who received the ball outside the box, quickly delivered a cross as he saw Son Heung-min rushing toward the goal. Son Heung-min raised his foot high to connect, but the ball went wide of the goalpost.

Following that, in the 43rd minute of the first half, he unleashed a powerful 'clothesline shot' from behind the arc circle, but it narrowly missed the left side of the goal.

Son Heung-min took a total of five shots in the first half, recording the most shots of either team. However, he failed to convert any into goals, leaving a sense of regret.

Unlike the aggressive pressure LAFC exerted in the first half, the tempo dropped overall in the early second half, and the match entered a somewhat stalemate.

Kim Ki-hee played until the 17th minute of the second half before being substituted for Lopez. Making his comeback after a long absence, Kim Ki-hee displayed veteran-like solid defense. Kim Ki-hee, who played for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in K League 1, was active with Seattle during the 2018-2019 seasons before transferring to Ulsan HD. He returned to Seattle last year.

A rare header from Son Heung-min appeared in the middle of the second half, but it did not lead to a goal. In the 22nd minute of the second half, Son Heung-min headed a quick cross delivered by Segura from the left flank, but he missed the ball.

Son Heung-min's goal opportunity was thwarted again in the 32nd minute of the second half. Receiving a pass from Delgado from the arc circle, Son Heung-min shot with his right foot. The ball deflected off a defender's foot, but the opposing goalkeeper dove to make a save.

After persistently pressing, LAFC finally scored the opening goal. In the 41st minute of the second half, Boyd drove into the left flank and delivered a cross. Tillman fell and connected with his foot, shaking the net.

No further goals were scored until four minutes of added time in the second half, and the match ended with a narrow 1-0 victory for LAFC.

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*This content was translated by AI.