'It was a chance for the first goal of the season...' Son Heung-min yields penalty kick → Bouanga scores! LAFC takes 2-0 lead over LA Galaxy (end of first half)

*This content was translated by AI.

Son Heung-min (34), who returned to LAFC after the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, is fighting hard for his first goal of the season.

On the 18th at 11:25 a.m. (Korean time), LAFC played an away match against LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles, California, USA, in the 16th round of the 2026 U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season and led 1-0 at the end of the first half.

Currently, LAFC is ranked fifth in the Western Conference with 24 points (7 wins, 3 draws, 5 losses), while LA Galaxy is ninth in the Western Conference with 20 points (5 wins, 5 draws, 5 losses).

Starting as a forward in a 4-3-3 formation, Son Heung-min led the attack alongside Denis Bouanga and Jacob Shaffelburg. The midfield was composed of Mark Delgado, Eddie Segura, and Mathieu Choiniere. The back four consisted of Yevhen Cheberko, Aaron Long, Ryan Porteous, and Ryan Hollingshead, with Hugo Lloris in goal.

Son Heung-min attempted shots actively early in the match. He took shots from outside the penalty box in the 2nd and 7th minutes of the first half, but both were blocked by defenders.

The flow of the match was tight in the early stages. LA Galaxy exerted active pressure based on high ball possession, while LAFC adopted a defensive approach with only Son Heung-min up front and their line dropped deep.

LAFC, which struggled to create attacking opportunities until the middle of the first half, finally broke through. In the 25th minute, Shaffelburg delivered a cross from the left flank, which Delgado connected with a header that hit a defender. However, Delgado controlled the rebound and pushed it in with his right foot to score the opening goal.

Two minutes later, Son Heung-min's assist unfortunately fell short. After dribbling past defenders near the penalty box, he threaded an incisive pass to Bouanga, who was making a run to the left. However, Bouanga's shot went high over the goal.

In the 29th minute of the first half, Son Heung-min suffered a frightening incident during a challenge for the ball. As he rushed toward the goal, his face was struck by a defender's raised foot, causing him to fall. It appeared he was in significant pain and could not get up immediately, but fortunately, he stood up about a minute later.

Son Heung-min took his third shot of the first half late in the period, but it missed the target. In the 42nd minute, Bouanga delivered a cross from the left flank, which Son Heung-min connected with an instant one-touch left-footed shot that sailed over the bar.

LAFC scored another goal. Shaffelburg dribbled inside the penalty box and was fouled by the main defender, prompting the referee to immediately award a penalty kick. Although it initially seemed Son Heung-min would take the penalty, he ultimately passed the ball to Bouanga, yielding the opportunity. Bouanga then struck the ball powerfully into the left side of the net.

The first half ended with LAFC leading 2-0.

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*This content was translated by AI.