Frustrating 'Red Card Inducement' for Son Heung-min: LAFC Draws 1-1 with 10-Man Vancouver After a Disappointing Performance

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

LAFC failed to break through a frustrating flow despite gaining a numerical advantage early in the match by forcing an opponent's red card, ultimately settling for a draw at home. Son Heung-min (34), who started as an attacking midfielder in the second line, put up a valiant effort, but the first victory under the new head coach was postponed to the next match.

LAFC drew 1-1 with Vancouver Whitecaps in their home game of Round 28 of the 2026 U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS) season, held at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California, at 11:30 a.m. (KST) on the 11th.

LAFC, which played its first match under interim head coach Xavi Tamarit following the departure of former manager Marc Dos Santos due to poor results, recorded 11 wins, 9 draws, and 9 losses (42 points), remaining in sixth place in the Western Conference. On the other hand, Vancouver, who secured a valuable one point despite being down a man, maintained their sole lead with 15 wins, 6 draws, and 7 losses (51 points).

LAFC deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation on this day. Denis Bouanga led the line at the front, while Jacob Shapland, Son Heung-min, and Arminado Silva formed the second line. The midfield was guarded by Mathieu Chianese and Sergio Vasquez, and the back four consisted of Yevhen Cheberko, Edy Segura, Ryan Fortius, and Sergi Palencia. Hugo Lloris kept the goal.

The early flow of the game tilted completely in LAFC's favor. In the 6th minute of the first half, Son Heung-min, who received the ball in midfield, threaded a sharp through pass to Shapland, who was penetrating forward. Vancouver defender Tristan Blackmon committed a foul while trying to stop him, and the referee immediately issued a direct red card. On the ensuing free kick near the penalty box, Son Heung-min attempted his signature right-footed curling shot, but it was saved by opposing goalkeeper Takahashi Yohhei.

Having secured a numerical advantage early, LAFC launched an all-out attack. Son Heung-min delivered a pass that led to Chianese's shot in the 22nd minute of the first half. In the 27th minute, he received Silva's cross and fired a left-footed shot from directly in front of the goal, but it went straight at the goalkeeper. In the 38th minute, Silva attempted a shot after receiving a set-piece pass from Son Heung-min, among other opportunities, but the finishing was lacking.

Ironically, the opening goal belonged to Vancouver, who were playing with 10 men. In the 43rd minute of the first half, Lloris parried Oliver Ralala's header from Edier Ocampo's cross once, but Ralala showed focus in front of the goal and pushed it in again with his right foot to score. After taking the blow, LAFC ended the first half trailing 0-1 as Silva's shot during stoppage time was also saved by goalkeeper Takahashi.

Right at the start of the second half, LAFC made a change by substituting Igor Jesus for Chianese.

The equalizer came early. In the first minute of the second half, Bouanga finished with a header from Palencia's precise cross from the right flank, leveling the score at 1-1.

Gaining momentum, LAFC sought a winning goal led by Silva and Bouanga. In a counter-attack in the 11th minute of the second half, Shapland attempted a decisive left-footed shot after receiving a long pass from Lloris, but it missed the target. Although they pressed harder by bringing on Leo Waltho in the 18th minute, they failed to break through Vancouver's tight defensive block, ending the match in a 1-1 draw.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.View Original