*This content was translated by AI.
Son Heung-min (34, LAFC) broke his long goal drought and recorded multiple offensive points. However, his team failed to maintain the lead, dimming the shine of his performance.
On the 6th (Korean time), Son Heung-min delivered a standout performance with one goal and one assist, including the go-ahead goal, in the 2026 MLS match against Real Salt Lake at America First Field in Salt Lake City, Utah.
With this, Son Heung-min ended his official match goal drought spanning seven games (three league cups and four MLS matches) since the match against Vancouver Whitecaps on February 2nd, breaking the silence after about a month. He has recorded two goals and seven assists in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and five goals and 11 assists in MLS this season.
Playing as a lone striker in LAFC's 3-4-3 formation, Son Heung-min broke the 0-0 deadlock with an assist in the 14th minute of the first half. Dropping deep into midfield, he delivered a precise left-footed pass to his partner Denis Bouanga, who was penetrating the space behind the defense.
Bouanga received Son Heung-min's accurate pass, cut inside from the left flank, and curled a powerful right-footed shot into the net. The assist was credited to Son Heung-min, marking the end of his seven-game offensive point drought since the Vancouver match on February 2nd.
However, Son Heung-min and Bouanga's combined goal was nullified just four minutes later. Sabah Robzani capitalized on a one-on-one opportunity against the goalkeeper after penetrating the space behind the defense. LAFC failed to clear the ball properly in their own defensive area, leading directly to the goal.
Fortunately, Son Heung-min stepped up as the hero to restore balance. This time, Bouanga initiated the attack. In the 39th minute of the first half, he seized an opportunity by cutting inside from the left flank. He then delivered a cutback pass to Son Heung-min, who was positioned directly in front of the penalty box. Son Heung-min connected with a non-stop left-footed shot. The ball struck the goalkeeper's hands and the crossbar before dropping into the goal line for a valid goal. This marked his first "click" celebration since the Vancouver match on February 2nd.
However, Son Heung-min's goal did not become the go-ahead winner that secured victory for his team. In the second half, LAFC shifted focus to defense early on and lost control of the game. Son Heung-min remained at the front line, looking for counterattack opportunities. LAFC's decision to commit too heavily to defense too soon ultimately backfired. Noel Kalisakan's equalizing goal in the 30th minute of the second half made it a second equalizer.
LAFC failed to change the momentum afterward and faced multiple dangerous situations. Fortunately, they avoided conceding a go-ahead goal and maintained a tight balance. In the 42nd minute of the second half, Son Heung-min was presented with a decisive opportunity. During a counterattack, he used explosive speed to break through the space behind the defense, bypassed the goalkeeper, and attempted a right-footed shot toward the empty net.
However, Son Heung-min's shot was thwarted by a defender's diving "super tackle," resulting in no goal. The match ultimately ended in a 2-2 draw. Despite his one-goal, one-assist performance, Son Heung-min could not smile broadly.
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*This content was translated by AI.
