Son Heung-min made his highly anticipated Major League Soccer (MLS) debut for Los Angeles FC (LAFC) on Saturday, playing a crucial role in securing a 2-2 draw against the Chicago Fire. The South Korean star, who recently joined LAFC from Tottenham Hotspur for a reported MLS record of $26 million, came on as a substitute in the 61st minute and quickly made his presence felt.
The match, held at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois, saw the Fire take an early lead with a goal from Carlos Teran in the 10th minute. LAFC responded swiftly, with Ryan Hollingshead equalizing in the 19th minute. The score remained level until the 70th minute when Jonathan Bamba put Chicago ahead again.
With LAFC trailing 2-1, Son's introduction injected a new energy into the team's attack. In the 77th minute, Son received a pass from Nathan Ordaz and drove towards goal, where he was brought down in the box by Teran. Initially, the referee did not award a penalty, but after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, the decision was overturned, and LAFC was given a crucial penalty kick. Denis Bouanga stepped up and calmly converted the penalty in the 81st minute, leveling the score at 2-2.
Son almost snatched a late winner in stoppage time, showcasing his skill by splitting two defenders to create a clear shooting opportunity. However, his shot was blocked by a sliding challenge, denying him a debut goal. Despite not scoring, Son's impact on the game was undeniable, as he earned the penalty that ultimately secured a point for LAFC.
Speaking after the match, Son expressed some disappointment that LAFC couldn't secure all three points. "It was a great pass from Nathan [Ordaz], and it was a great. There was definitely contact, and it was definitely a penalty. No doubt about it," Son said. "We tied this game, but as I said before, we should have won this game. I'm a little bit disappointed". He also added, "A bit disappointed not getting three points, but I think everybody put in a lot of effort. (I'm) happy I made my debut and I hope the goals come soon".
Son's debut attracted significant attention, with many Korean fans and even some Tottenham fans present at the stadium to support him. He had a few shots on goal, but Chicago Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady saved them. Son signed with LAFC after a decade with Tottenham, where he scored 173 goals in 454 appearances. His arrival is expected to boost LAFC's attacking options and strengthen their bid for the MLS Cup.
The draw leaves LAFC in fifth place in the Western Conference with 37 points from 23 matches. Son's first home game for LAFC is scheduled for August 31 against Western Conference leaders San Diego.
