"Superstar" Son Heung-min (34, LAFC) is changing the very culture of soccer in the United States.
LAFC won 6-0 in the sixth round of Major League Soccer at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on the 5th (Korea time). LAFC, with five wins and one draw since the opener, led the standings.
Son Heung-min produced a remarkable four assists in the first half alone. From the start Son Heung-min completely unsettled the opposing defense. In the seventh minute of the first half, a sharply delivered cross from the right flank hit a defender's foot and was deflected into the net. The official record is an own goal, but it was essentially a scene created by Son Heung-min's sharp attack.
Son Heung-min, who directed the attack with four assists in the first half alone, threaded an accurate pass to the penetrating Denis Bouanga in the 20th minute of the first half for the first assist. Just three minutes later, Son Heung-min again connected a decisive pass to Bouanga, creating an additional goal.
Even at 3-0 Son Heung-min's feet did not stop. In the 28th minute of the first half he once again provided Bouanga with a perfect chance, completing the hat trick. All three of Bouanga's goals started from Son Heung-min's touch.
Son Heung-min dominated the game with assists. In the 39th minute of the first half, after completely breaking down the right flank, Son Heung-min delivered an accurate pass into the box and Sergi Palencia finished it as the fifth goal.
Son Heung-min recorded four assists in the first half alone. It is the most assists in a single half since 2024 when Lionel Messi had five assists for Red Bulls New York in the second half.
Son Heung-min's selfless mindset is changing even his teammates. Palencia, who scored after receiving Son Heung-min's pass, said, "No matter how the opponent plays, I always believe you must be humble and play hard."
As ace Son Heung-min runs hard, his teammates' thinking is also changing. Palencia welcomed playing alongside Son Heung-min, saying, "We have always had the ambition and wanted to score more goals. But at the same time we respect the opponent and do not mock or criticize them. Everyone has discarded selfishness and is fulfilling their role. Having such an excellent squad is really a good thing."
[OSEN]