AT HOME IN LA. Compatriotsof Los Angeles Football Club's South Korean forward Son Heung-min hold up signs in the stands at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California, USA during the team's Major League Soccer match against San Diego FC on Sunday night (Aug. 31, 2025). The San Diego Padres won, 2-1, while Son was held scoreless. (AFP via Yonhap)
SEOUL – Son Heung-min was held without a goal in his first match at home for Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), though it wasn't from any lack of opportunities or effort.
The South Korean superstar struck the right goal post in the second half after being denied by the opposing goalkeeper in the first half, as LAFC lost to San Diego FC 2-1 in Major League Soccer (MLS) at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday (local time).
Son had played three consecutive away matches after joining LAFC in early August. He had a goal and an assist in those three contests, with LAFC posting a win and two draws, but couldn't add to his total against the best team in the Western Conference.
San Diego, having now won seven consecutive away matches, leads the West with 56 points. LAFC stayed in fifth in the same conference with 41 points, but they have three matches in hand on both San Diego and second-place Minnesota United FC (51 points).
The clubs traded a goal apiece in the first half, with Denis Bounaga opening the scoring for LAFC in the 15th minute and Hirving Lozano responding for San Diego in the 33rd minute.
Son nearly scored the go-ahead goal in the late moments of the first half. After taking a pass on the right side of the box, Son quickly pivoted and fired his patented, left-footed curler toward the far post, but goalkeeper CJ dos Santos rose to the challenge with a diving stop that kept the match tied.
San Diego broke the deadlock on Anders Dreyer's goal in the 66th minute, and then LAFC started creating chances as their opponents showed cracks on defense.
Son had a great look during LAFC's late push, striking the right goal post with a right-footed shot in the 78th minute.
Son fired another shot from just outside the box during stoppage time but was once again turned aside by dos Santos, leaving a large throng of Korean supporters disappointed.
LAFC had 17 shot attempts to only six by San Diego.
"It felt like they were welcoming me, and I couldn't wait for this night," Son said in his postmatch presser. "I feel like I let the fans down. They deserved more than one goal or zero points. I can't wait to play at home again."
Responding to a question in Korean, Son said he felt especially patriotic seeing his national flags in the stands.
"I have been receiving such great support from so many fans everywhere I have gone, and I have never for a moment taken any of that for granted. I don't know if I'm doing a proper job expressing my gratitude," Son said.
"These fans made me feel like a special player today. I am sure there will be fans flying in from Korea to watch me play, as well as those already living in the U.S. I always want to make them proud." (Yonhap)
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