Will Son be forced to the bench immediately after tasting a goal? 'Hell's 9-game stretch' LAFC declares 'appearance control' for Son Heung-min... Coach: "Must manage key players"

*This content was translated by AI.

Son Heung-min (34), who fired his team's first goal of the season, is set to receive thorough management of his physical condition and playing time from his club LAFC.

LAFC will face Real Salt Lake at 11:30 a.m. (Korean time) on the 23rd at BMO Stadium in California, USA, in the 17th round of the 2026 Major League Soccer (MLS). A fierce battle for third and fourth place is expected between LAFC (27 points), currently third in the Western Conference, and Salt Lake (26 points), currently fourth.

In the previous derby against LA Galaxy, Son Heung-min scored a decisive goal in the 12th minute of the second half to record his league debut goal, leading his team to a 3-0 victory. Having shed the disappointment of failing to score during the group stage of the 2026 North American World Cup qualifiers, Son Heung-min recorded six shots, the most by either team, and received an impressive 8.4 rating from FotMob. Riding this momentum, Son Heung-min aims for back-to-back goals in the match against Salt Lake.

While his position as a key striker remains secure, it is expected that Son Heung-min will not be able to play full matches in every game. LAFC must navigate a packed schedule, including a match against Kansas City on the 26th and the MLS All-Star Game on the 30th, with the possibility of playing up to nine games throughout August. This makes physical management essential for Son Heung-min, who is entering his mid-30s.

Marc Dos Santos, LAFC's head coach, announced during an official press conference on the 22nd that strict player management would be implemented. "Our schedule is extremely tight," he said. "We have the League Cup and many away trips. We could play as many as nine games in August alone. That's why I've discussed with Son Heung-min and other key players that we must 'manage' this situation."

He continued, "We may need to consider substituting certain players early in preparation for the next match or even setting specific playing time limits before sending them onto the field. Players always say they are ready to play and can complete 90 minutes, but that doesn't hold up under a packed schedule. The players understand why we are implementing this management, and Son Heung-min understands it well as well."

The ultimate reason LAFC is actively deploying rotation is its ambition to challenge for multiple titles, including cup competitions. Coach Dos Santos has expressed strong determination to win every tournament.

"The promise I made on my first day was that we would always compete to win trophies," he emphasized. "Honestly, promising to win unconditionally sounds ridiculous. Our priority is to compete for victory in all tournaments. We will persistently push forward to seize the opportunity to win in every competition."

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*This content was translated by AI.