Son Heung-min (32·LAFC) captured the attention of the entire league in his first game on American soil.
In his MLS debut, just three days after leaving Tottenham, he contributed directly to securing points with explosive speed and penetrative runs, creating a massive buzz both on and off the field. However, there were also signs of undervaluation towards Son Heung-min.
Essentially Sports noted on the 9th (Korean time) that 'Son Heung-min is the perfect star the MLS has waited years for,' stating, 'He is still in excellent form and possesses a strong professional spirit, making him a resource that can bring change to the entire league.' Citing data from Front Office Sports, it was reported that 'immediately after the transfer announcement, Son Heung-min ranked second in uniform sales in MLS history. Lionel Messi is first, and there is a possibility he could surpass Zlatan Ibrahimovic and David Beckham.'
When Son Heung-min officially announced his move to LAFC on the 7th, following his departure from Tottenham Hotspur, the Los Angeles International Airport was filled with fans welcoming him. The strong support from the Korean community provided a solid background for his transition to the American stage. At his introductory press conference, Son Heung-min shared, 'Initially, LA was not a priority. However, the team that contacted me first after the season ended, and with just one conversation, my mind changed. Their vision and passion were strong, and I felt, 'this is where I need to be.'
On the 10th, in the 26th round of the 2025 MLS Western Conference against Chicago Fire at SeatGeek Stadium in Illinois, Son Heung-min was substituted in at the 16th minute of the second half. Although it was an official match after about three months, the atmosphere in the stadium quickly heated up. Fans of LAFC in the away section, as well as home fans, stood up and cheered, with some even tearing up at the sight of him.
Immediately upon entering the game, he opened with a left-footed shot and then created a counterattack opportunity with a sharp penetrating pass. In the 36th minute of the second half, he perfectly broke into the space behind the Chicago defense, creating a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper, and Carlos Teran, attempting to thwart him, tripped him from behind. Following a VAR review, a penalty kick was awarded, and Denis Bouanga converted it to score the equalizer. While no assist was recorded, it was essentially a goal created by Son Heung-min.
The MLS office evaluated, 'The MLS era of Son Heung-min has begun. He is a game changer who will raise the value and competitiveness of the league, not just a simple star acquisition.' The reactions from local media and fans were explosive.
However, not all eyes were favorable. Former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan said on the British TalkSport broadcast, 'Son Heung-min's prime is already over. Tottenham securing £20 million (37.4 billion won) is not a bad transaction,' adding, 'For him, America could be a new opportunity. He could have made a lot of money going to Saudi Arabia, but in the MLS, he has the chance to play with Messi.'
Jordan further stated, 'Son Heung-min is an excellent player, but he shone when he was with Kane, and he hasn't demonstrated leadership as expected since Kane left. Even five years ago, when he scored 22 goals in the league, there were no serious transfer offers from big clubs. This shows a facet of the limitations of the club Tottenham.'
Many fans reacted against these remarks. One fan criticized Jordan, saying, 'No matter what you say, Son Heung-min is a respected figure both as a player and as a person,' while another fan countered that 'no big club would turn down prime Son Heung-min.'
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