Who was Son Heung-min targeting? After 237 days, his goal-scoring machine roars to life with a defiant "shh" celebration

*This content was translated by AI.

Son Heung-min's (34, LAFC) goal-scoring machine in Major League Soccer (MLS) has finally fired. It marks his first goal since November last year — a span of 237 days — and comes just 16 matches into this MLS season. His first celebration immediately after scoring was the so-called "shh" gesture, seemingly aimed at someone specific.

On the 18th (Korean time), Son Heung-min started in the 2026 MLS regular-season Round 32 away match against LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, USA — a rivalry game known as "El Trafico" between LAFC and LA Galaxy. He scored the decisive goal that led his team to a 3-0 victory.

Son Heung-min finally delivered the result in the 12th minute of the second half when his team was leading 2-0. Dribbling from the right side toward the center, he passed to Mark Delgado and received a return pass. From the right side of the arc, he struck a low shot with his right foot that found the back of the net.

This goal marks Son Heung-min's first on MLS soil since the MLS Cup Playoffs quarterfinals against Vancouver Whitecaps on November 23 last year. If counting only regular-season matches, it has been nearly nine months since his last goal against Colorado Rapids in October last year.

This season, Son Heung-min scored in the CONCACAF Champions Cup but struggled to find the net in MLS until now. His MLS record stands at 14 appearances (13 starts), one goal, and nine assists. His assist tally ranks joint first overall in the league.

Immediately after scoring, Son Heung-min performed a "shh" celebration by placing his right index finger to his lips. This was interpreted as a response to various criticisms directed at him.

Indeed, with Son Heung-min failing to score frequently in this MLS season, criticism from local media and fans grew intense. Additionally, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers for North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, he played three matches (two starts) without recording an attacking point, as his team was eliminated in the group stage. While head coach Hong Myung-bo's tactics and substitutions faced sharp criticism, some foreign media outlets recently suggested that Son Heung-min could not be entirely free from responsibility.

Had Son Heung-min remained silent in the resumed MLS matches, local and international media criticism could have intensified further. However, he shook the net with a defiant display, performed the "shh" celebration, then executed his first-ever "click" celebration on MLS soil before breaking into a bright smile.

Son Heung-min was substituted in the 31st minute of the second half when his team led 3-0, ending his match. With momentum secured thanks to his decisive goal and another match scheduled just five days later, managing his physical condition was necessary. Over 76 minutes, Son Heung-min recorded six shots — the most on his team — with a pass success rate of 97%. He also registered two key passes and two on-target shots. On the morning of the 23rd at 11:30, he will face Real Salt Lake in an MLS Round 16 home match, aiming for back-to-back goals.

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*This content was translated by AI.