LAFC to Play First Round of Playoffs on October 30
Possible Showdown with Muller in Conference Semifinals
Son Heungmin's Debut Goal Named 'MLS Goal of the Year'
Son Heungmin is embarking on his journey toward his second professional championship trophy.
Playing for Los Angeles FC (LAFC) in Major League Soccer (MLS), Son Heungmin will face Austin FC in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs at 11:30 a.m. (Korean time) on October 30.
MLS consists of 30 teams, divided into Eastern and Western Conferences with 15 teams each. After the regular season, the top seven teams from each conference, along with the winner of a single-elimination match between the 8th and 9th place teams, advance to the playoffs, making a total of eight teams per conference competing for the championship.
LAFC finished third in the Western Conference during the regular season and will play a best-of-three series in the first round of the playoffs against Austin FC, which finished sixth. During the regular season, LAFC faced Austin FC twice and lost both matches 0-1. However, Son Heungmin was absent for both games. The first match took place in March, before Son joined LAFC, and for the October match, Son was away on international duty with the Korean national team.
After the first round of the playoffs, the conference semifinals and subsequent rounds are single-elimination matches. If LAFC advances past the first round, they are likely to face the Vancouver Whitecaps, where Thomas Muller plays. Vancouver finished second in the Western Conference during the regular season and has already won their first-round playoff match against FC Dallas with a 3-0 victory. Muller also scored a goal via penalty kick.
Muller joined Vancouver in August after 17 years with Bayern Munich. He recorded seven goals and three assists in seven MLS regular season matches. Son Heungmin, in his 10 MLS regular season games, scored nine goals and provided three assists.
The MLS Cup Final is scheduled for December 7. If LAFC wins the championship, Son Heungmin will secure his second trophy in about half a year, following his UEFA Europa League victory with Tottenham Hotspur in May.
The official MLS website recently predicted, based on betting odds, that Inter Miami, featuring Lionel Messi, has the highest chance of winning the title in the Eastern Conference. Inter Miami's odds are set at +400, meaning a $100 bet would yield a $400 profit. LAFC's odds are +750, ranking fifth after Philadelphia Union (+500), Vancouver Whitecaps (+600), and San Diego FC (+700).
American sports media outlet Sports Illustrated (SI) named Miami versus Vancouver as the most anticipated final matchup, followed by Miami versus LAFC. SI highlighted that a Miami vs. LAFC final would be particularly exciting, as it would feature Messi and Denis Bouanga-both former MLS MVPs-along with Premier League legend Son Heungmin.
Meanwhile, the MLS office announced on October 28 that Son Heungmin's debut goal for LAFC has been selected as the 'MLS Goal of the Year.' After joining LAFC on August 24, Son scored his debut MLS goal with a free kick in his third match. The ball, skillfully curled with his right foot, found the top left corner of the net, leaving the opposing goalkeeper with no chance.
Son Heungmin, his teammate Bouanga, Messi, and 13 other players were among the 16 nominees for MLS Goal of the Year. Son ultimately won the honor based on the final fan vote. He is the first Asian player and the first LAFC player to receive this award since its inception in 1996.
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