The atmosphere at BMO Stadium was electric on Tuesday night, not just because LAFC was facing Tigres UANL in a crucial Leagues Cup match, but also due to the presence of a new superstar in town: Heung-Min Son. The South Korean forward, fresh off a decade-long career with Tottenham Hotspur, finalized his move to Los Angeles FC and was introduced to the roaring fans during the game.

LAFC reportedly paid a transfer fee of over $20 million for Son, potentially a record-breaking fee in MLS history. The 33-year-old's arrival has generated considerable excitement, particularly within Southern California's large Korean community, who are comparing his potential impact to that of Shohei Ohtani with the LA Dodgers.

Son watched the match from a luxury suite, waving to the fans who were thrilled by the team's acquisition. His move to LAFC reunites him with former Spurs teammate Hugo Lloris, who is now LAFC's goalkeeper. The club hopes that Son's addition will inject pace, creativity, and firepower into the squad, which is currently sixth in the Western Conference.

Despite the excitement surrounding Son's arrival, LAFC suffered a 2-1 defeat against Tigres UANL. Tigres have been one of the top performers in the Leagues Cup. Ángel Correa, Tigres' Argentine international forward, has been a standout player, leading the Leagues Cup in scoring.

LAFC's Leagues Cup campaign has been challenging thus far. They have three points from their first two matches, with both games decided by penalty-kick shootouts after 1-1 draws. They lost to Mazatlán and defeated Pachuca. To advance to the knockout rounds, LAFC needs to improve its finishing and capitalize on opportunities in the opponent's box.

The loss to Tigres puts LAFC's chances of advancing in the Leagues Cup in jeopardy. A win against Tigres would have secured their spot in the knockout stage, but now their fate depends on tiebreakers such as goal differential, goals scored, and goals conceded. The top four teams from each league-specific table advance to the quarterfinals.

Son's presence is expected to boost LAFC's chances for the MLS Cup. He was a beloved figure at Spurs, scoring 173 goals in 454 appearances. His move to MLS is seen as a strategic one, positioning him ideally for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held across North America.

LAFC hopes to market Son across ethnic boundaries, capitalizing on his positive personality and English-speaking ability. While the team couldn't secure a win against Tigres, the fans are optimistic that Son's arrival will bring future success and excitement to the club.