Son Heung-min (33, Los Angeles FC)'s "neck-grab carry" even collapsed. The season that seemed likely to run until December ultimately stopped in Vancouver.
LAFC drew 2-2 with the Vancouver Whitecaps in the 2025 MLS Cup Western Conference semifinals at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada, on the 22nd (Korea time) and then lost 3-4 on penalties. Son Heung-min's fantastic multi-goal performance was close to a miracle, but the team's overall fragile play ultimately could not hold up.
The 2025 MLS Cup Western Conference semifinals. Son Heung-min, who scored two goals in the away match in Vancouver, poured all his energy onto the pitch. But LAFC collapsed against Vancouver's persistent defense, mismatched team tactics, and the failure to even attempt a comeback goal. Son Heung-min's shot that missed the empty goal as the first penalty taker hinted at a cruel fate as much as his overwhelming performance did.
The match drew attention as a "star match" even before kickoff. Munich icon Müller and Tottenham legend Son Heung-min clashing on the U.S. stage. The fact that 53,000 seats sold out in just one minute was evidence of the strength of the "Son Heung-min effect." But when the lid was opened, LAFC was dragged by Vancouver's strong pressure from the first half and fell behind 0-2. They disappointed by conceding goals in the 40th and 45th minutes of the first half consecutively.
In the second half, Son Heung-min wrote a reversal. In the 15th minute of the second half, after three shooting attempts he pulled one back, and in stoppage time of the second half he struck a free kick to make it 2-2. The picture-perfect trajectory showed the essence of "world class."
The match went to extra time, and despite LAFC having a numerical advantage (11-9), they ultimately failed to score an additional goal. At the moment the match went to penalties, the first kicker Son Heung-min missed, and the third kicker Delgado also failed, denying LAFC advancement to the next round.
After the match Son Heung-min bowed his head, saying, "The cramp came back and the penalty shootout was difficult." But what kept the team, which could have ended in a scoreless defeat, in the contest until the penalty shootout was Son Heung-min's equalizing goal, the free kick, and his persistent leadership.
Local Tottenham media such as "Spurs Web" expressed fandom over Son Heung-min's overwhelming performance, saying, "He is taking over MLS too easily at LAFC," and, "He has compiled monster stats of 12 goals and 4 assists in 13 matches."
In particular, they lamented, "I don't understand why Son Heung-min didn't take free kicks at Tottenham," and, "He already scored several free-kick goals after Christian Eriksen's transfer and even won MLS goal of the year," repeatedly expressing regret.
Although the match itself ended in Vancouver's victory, LAFC's official account was flooded with criticism of the team's performance. One fan said in self-deprecation, "The fact that 11 couldn't break through 9 is a systemic problem," and some said, "Only Son Heung-min was something to be proud of."
Another fan cheered, saying, "He won and only the team lost," or said, "LAFC is a waste of a team because Son Heung-min plays for them."
LAFC ended their 2025 season with that day and will enter the preseason preparing for next year's Coachella Valley Invitational. Although the team collapsed despite Son Heung-min's carry, it was clear that his moment rewrote MLS history.
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