"Son Heung-min's goal was disallowed!" Even LAFC players protested the 'VAR controversy'... US media also take note, 'No goal despite most chances created'

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Son Heung-min (LAFC), the 'captain' of the South Korean national football team, shook the net, but had to swallow his disappointment as the goal was canceled after a video assistant referee (VAR) review.

On the 26th (Korean time), LAFC drew 2-2 in its home match against LA Galaxy at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, USA, in the regular season of Major League Soccer (MLS).

Son Heung-min, who started the match, played the full 90 minutes but failed to record an attacking point. This marks his second consecutive match without a goal or assist. LAFC deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Son Heung-min positioned in the second line to support leading striker Denis Bouanga.

The most regrettable moment came in the 28th minute of the first half. Son Heung-min hit the back of the net, but the goal was not counted.

At the time, after Bouanga's shot hit the crossbar and rebounded, Son Heung-min took a second shot to score. However, an offside by Bouanga in the preceding attacking sequence was pointed out. The referee maintained the original decision after a VAR review. Although LAFC protested the call, Son Heung-min's goal was ultimately canceled.

This scene also received focused attention from local US media. US outlet Babel reported, "The first controversy of the match occurred in the 28th minute of the first half. Son Heung-min's goal was disallowed by referee Armando Villareal."

It further explained, "LAFC protested the decision, arguing that the ball connected to Bouanga, who was in an offside position, had deflected off an opposing defender's foot," but added, "However, even after the VAR review, the original on-field decision was upheld."

Even more disappointing was the subsequent flow of the game. LAFC conceded the opening goal shortly after Son Heung-min's disallowed goal. In the 34th minute of the first half, Joseph Paintsil of LA Galaxy scored the first goal. LAFC fell behind 0-2 after conceding another goal to Paintsil in the 6th minute of the second half.

However, LAFC did not crumble easily. In the 8th minute of the second half, Bouanga scored an equalizer by shooting again at a ball cleared by the opposing goalkeeper.

In the 17th minute of the second half, Leo Baez scored the equalizing goal to bring the score back to level. Son Heung-min also contributed in this process. The cross he delivered from the left flank was not properly handled by the opposing defense, and Baez pushed the loose ball into the net. However, it was not officially recorded as an assist for Son Heung-min.

LAFC appeared to secure a dramatic comeback victory when Bouanga scored again in stoppage time of the second half. However, the goal was canceled once more due to an offside call on Aaron Long in the preceding attacking sequence.

Ultimately, LAFC finished the match with a 2-2 draw, leaving behind the regret of having two goals disallowed.

Still, it was a meaningful result. With the draw, LAFC recorded 12 wins, 11 draws, and 9 losses (47 points), maintaining its sixth-place standing in the Western Conference. At the same time, they secured their spot in the MLS Cup playoffs regardless of remaining regular season results.

In MLS, after each team plays 34 regular season matches, nine teams from each of the Eastern and Western Conferences advance to the playoffs to compete for the championship. Teams ranked seventh or higher in each conference advance directly to the first round of the playoffs, while teams ranked eighth and ninth compete for the final playoff berth through a wildcard play-in match.

Although Son Heung-min did not record an attacking point on this day, he demonstrated his presence with active movement throughout the match. Football statistics site FootMob gave Son Heung-min a rating of 7.4.

In particular, Son Heung-min created the most scoring chances of any player from either team, with four opportunities. He also recorded 50 ball touches, an 86% pass success rate (30/35), three touches inside the opposing penalty box, and one successful dribble.

Although his goal was disallowed after a VAR review, Son Heung-min fulfilled his role in offensive play, contributing to LAFC's confirmed playoff berth.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original