Son Heung-Min Debuts with LAFC and Makes an Immediate Impact
Son Heung-Min had an instant impact at LAFC, winning a penalty less than 20 minutes after coming off the bench in his debut. The South Korean star helped his new team salvage a 2-2 draw against the Chicago Fire on Saturday.
The player, who jumped onto the field just three days after finalizing his record $26 million transfer from Tottenham Hotspur, was brought down in the area by Chicago defender Carlos Terán, while running towards a through pass with a clear scoring opportunity.
Despite the penalty not being awarded initially, referee Ricardo Montero signaled it after VAR intervention. Denis Bouanga, the team’s top scorer this season, converted the penalty in the 81st minute to give LAFC a point in Bridgeview, Illinois.
It was a great pass and there was definitely contact and it was definitely a penalty, no doubt.
Son Heung-Min
Son himself expressed his feelings after the match, although he couldn’t get the victory. “A little disappointed for not getting the three points, but I think everyone put in a lot of effort, I’m happy to have debuted and I hope the goals come soon.”
It was the second time LAFC came back in the match. Ryan Hollingshead tied the match with a header, canceling out Terán’s initial goal in the first half, before Jonathan Bamba put Fire ahead again in the 70th minute.The image shows Son Heung-Min asking for a penalty after being brought down in the area in his debut with LAFC. Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images
This completed a crazy week for Son. On Sunday, he emotionally bid farewell to Tottenham after 10 years following a pre-season match in his native South Korea. On Wednesday, he landed in Los Angeles, attending LAFC’s Leagues Cup victory over Tigres UANL before being officially presented the next day at a welcome event that featured the city’s mayor, Karen Bass, among other personalities.
However, it is in the field where Son, who scored 173 goals in 454 official matches during 10 years at Tottenham, expects to do most of his work.
After obtaining his visa on Friday night, he was immediately thrown into MLS action on Saturday.
Despite declaring himself in top form upon his arrival, Son had to wait until the 61st minute to make his entrance as one of the most important signings in MLS history.
Things didn’t go well for them immediately, as Bamba soon scored to put Chicago ahead. The home team almost extended their lead, but Son’s former Tottenham teammate, Hugo Lloris, made a vital intervention in goal before the post prevented a goal from Brian Gutiérrez.
Immediately after that respite, LAFC launched an attack. Nathan Ordaz sent the ball forward and Son, showing the speed and direct running that have made him a global star, got to the ball first, and only a foul could prevent him from scoring his first goal in the black and gold jersey.
That will have to wait at least another week, when LAFC, who climbed to fifth place in the Western Conference, visits the New England Revolution.
“I’m preparing myself and it was a decent 30 minutes in my legs preparing me for next week,” Son added. “So we’ll see how I progress in training and with the players and see if next week I can start the match and have a big impact.”
