The reaction went beyond disagreement with the ruling and was almost mocking. More heated than the match itself was Houston's postgame response.
LA FC beat Houston Dynamo FC 2-0 on the 1st (all times Korea time) in the 2026 MLS western conference round 2 at Texas Shell Energy Stadium. They used the numerical advantage to control the flow of the second half and ultimately achieved a comprehensive victory.
The early part was tight. Houston cut off LA FC's buildup with intense pressing and compact defending. But a decisive moment came in added time of the first half. When Son Heung-min was shielding the ball with his back turned, Antonio Carlos came in late. Replays clearly showed his studs striking near Son Heung-min's Achilles.
The referee immediately showed a red card. The Houston players protested vehemently, and a video review was conducted. However, the decision was not overturned. The judgment was that it was a reckless tackle to a dangerous area.
With the numerical advantage, LA FC seized control in the second half. Mark Delgado broke the deadlock with the opening goal, and Son Heung-min continued to dominate the game's flow. In the 35th minute of the second half, he drew a foul from Agustín Bojat that led to another red card. Then in the 37th minute of the second half, he was involved in the buildup to Stephen Eustáquio's additional goal, sealing the result.
The controversy began after the match. Houston coach Ben Olsen publicly expressed dissatisfaction with Carlos's sending-off. He argued that the incident, at worst, merited a yellow card and said the red card changed the result. He even suggested that the fact the fouled player was Son Heung-min may have influenced the decision.
In addition, Houston's official account mocked the decision by posting the expression 'lol' on social media. It went beyond a simple protest and ridiculed the referee's decision itself. The post quickly spread and sparked heated debate among fans.
The crucial incident was clear even in repeated video. The area near the Achilles can be life-threatening for a player. Regardless of intent, many judged the danger to be evident.
The match ended 2-0. But Houston's response left repercussions beyond the defeat. There can be differences of opinion about a ruling. However, questions remain about whether a mocking reaction via the club's official channels was appropriate.
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