“Son Heung -min’s era began in the US professional football (MLS).” (MLS Secretariat’s official website)
It was enough to take an eye stamp on American fans. Son Heung -min, who left the UK and joined Los Angeles FFC (LAFC), has been a penalty kick since his debut.
Son Heung -min made his debut in the US stage in the second half of the 16th minute in the 2025 MLS league visit to Chicago Fire at the Bridge View Sit Geek Stadium in Illinois, USA on the 10th. It has been three days since I finished my 10 -year accompaniment with the English Premier League Tottenham Hotspur on the 7th and wore the LAFS uniform. The team won 2-2 draw.
Son Heung-min was replaced with David Martinez in the second half of the 16th minute when the team faced 1-1, and stepped on MLS’s first grass. Son Heung -min, who showed active movements in the left wing and the forefront, scored the first shot of the league with a left -footed shot in the second half.
Son Heung -min’s truth was revealed in the second half of the 32nd minute. It’s been 16 minutes since it was replaced. Son Heung -min penetrated his opponent’s back space using his unique speed in the counterattack, and drove the ball to the penalty area by receiving a through -pass from his fellow Natan Ordas. But the opponent’s defensive Carlos Terran was blocked. Son Heung -min immediately appealed to the foul, but the referee played the game. However, after checking the VAR (video reading system), he declared a penalty kick. It was a valuable penalty kick from Son Heung -min’s fast feet. Dennis Buanga, a kicker, scored a tie with a powerful shot.
Son Heung -min was not satisfied with the equalizer and struggled to score the final goal. Son Heung -min, who penetrated to the right of the penalty area in the second half of the game (47 minutes), shot immediately after receiving a spatial pass in Serhik, but swallowed because he was blocked by his opponent’s defense. Son Heung -min played for about 39 minutes, including extra time, three shots (one effective shot), and tried six passes to succeed.
MLS official Nuri House said, “It is an electric debut. Son Heung -min had an influence on the team.”
Meanwhile, local interest in Son Heung -min was hot from the start to the end of the game. The local broadcast camera was busy throughout the first half to capture Son Heung -min on the bench, and local commentators introduced that all fans’ attention is concentrated on Sony (Son Heung -min).
In the 37th minute, even though Son Heung -min appeared in the stadium to relax with his colleagues, the crowd shouted with applause despite being a visit. Son Heung -min’s Tottenham and Korean national uniforms were also caught by several cameras. Even after the end whistle rang, the local camera continued to take a picture of Son Heung -min, not both scorers.
LAFS secured 37 victory points by draw on the day, and climbed to fifth place in the western conference.
By Son Hyun -soo, Byunsoo@hani.co.kr