0
Son Heung-min of LAFC celebrates after scoring the team's opening goal in an 18th-round league home match against Sporting Kansas City at BMO Stadium on July 25 (local time) / Courtesy of AFP-Yonhap News

Son Heung-min scores in 3 straight matches to settle World Cup score.

Playing for LAFC in Major League Soccer, Son Heung-min scored the opening goal in an 18th-round league home match against Sporting Kansas City at BMO Stadium on July 25 (local time), leading his team to a 4-0 victory.

With this goal, Son has scored in all 3 matches played since returning to his club following the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After netting his overdue first league goal of the season against LA Galaxy on July 17 and following up with a goal against Real Salt Lake in the next match, Son extended his scoring streak to 3 consecutive matches with his third league goal today. This marks the first time in about 10 months that Son has scored in 3 or more consecutive MLS matches since his 4-match scoring run in September last year. Already ranking first in the league with 10 assists, Son increased his total attacking points in the league to 13.

Son's goal came just 5 minutes into the first half. Starting as the central striker, Son intercepted a ball that came like a through pass from the opposing defense, then opened the scoring against Kansas City with a calm right-footed shot targeting the far post. The scene highlighted both his sprinting speed toward the goal and his strength in shaking off a defender pulling him from behind. Finishing a one-on-one chance with the goalkeeper inside the box, Son proved his recently recovered scoring touch.

With Son's partner Denis Bouanga also shining with 2 goals and 1 assist, LAFC rode to its fourth straight league victory. Reaching 33 points alongside Vancouver Whitecaps FC, which has played two fewer matches, LAFC temporarily moved into second place in the league.

Having completely quenched his goal drought, Son will feature in the First Eleven for the MLS All-Star Game at Bank of America Stadium at 9:00 a.m. on July 30 (KST), taking on the Liga MX All-Stars. However, the anticipated joint appearance with Lionel Messi of Inter Miami fell through. Messi, who led Argentina to the World Cup final before losing to Spain, was revealed to have notified his absence from the All-Star Game, and the MLS league office officially confirmed his absence today. The league office explained that Messi's obligation to participate in the MLS All-Star Game was waived pursuant to an agreement allowing players competing in the World Cup to determine adequate rest and return schedules.

Although he will not play alongside Messi, Son is set to showcase his talent to global fans through the Skill Challenge. Participating players will compete in technical challenges including shooting, passing, goalkeeper duels, hitting the crossbar, and team relay events covering dribbling, passing, and shooting.

                                                                                                           Lee Jang-won