Just three days after transferring to Los Angeles FC (LAFC) in Major League Soccer (MLS), Son Heungmin made his debut as a substitute and won a crucial penalty kick that led to an equalizer.
Son made his official debut in the 2025 MLS Round 26 away match against Chicago Fire FC at SeatGeek Stadium in Chicago, USA, at 9:30 a.m. (Korean time) on August 10, 2025. He was brought on in the 15th minute of the second half, replacing Davir Martinez, with the score tied at 1-1.
Including 9 minutes of stoppage time in the second half, Son played nearly 40 minutes and attempted three shots.
Son Heungmin is chasing the ball after coming on as a substitute in the 15th minute of the second half during the 2025 MLS Round 26 away match against Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field in Chicago, USA, on the morning of the 10th (Korean time). [Photo by AFP]
His first shot came just six minutes after coming on, in the 21st minute of the second half.
Waiting at the edge of the penalty arc, Son received a cross from the right and attempted his first shot with his left foot. However, the shot lacked precision and rolled weakly into the arms of the opposing goalkeeper.
In the 25th minute of the second half, LAFC conceded a goal as their right defense collapsed. Jonathan Bamba of Chicago scored, putting LAFC behind 1-2.
After conceding, LAFC launched a counterattack in the 27th minute of the second half. Son received another cross from the right and tried to connect with a heel kick as he penetrated into the center of the opponent’s penalty box, but the attempt was unsuccessful.
In the 30th minute of the second half, LAFC faced a decisive crisis, nearly conceding another goal. However, fortune was on their side, and they managed to launch a counterattack that led to an equalizer. Brian Gutierrez of Chicago struck a powerful shot that hit the LAFC goalpost and bounced out. LAFC quickly transitioned into a counterattack, and after two passes, the ball reached Son up front. Son swiftly broke through between two defenders and got the first touch on the ball, creating a one-on-one situation with the opposing goalkeeper. However, defender Carlos Teran collided forcefully with Son, causing him to fall inside the penalty box. After a video review, a penalty kick was awarded, and Denis Bouanga converted it to tie the score at 2-2.
In the 3rd minute of second-half stoppage time, Son received a penetrating pass from Sergi Palencia and unleashed a powerful right-footed shot, but it was blocked by a diving defender.
Afterward, neither team was able to score again, and the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
With this result, LAFC earned 37 points and moved up from 6th to 5th place in the Western Conference. Chicago, with 36 points, remained 9th in the Eastern Conference.
LAFC will play their next away match against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, at 8:30 a.m. on August 17, 2025.
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