South Korean star Son Heung-min made an immediate impression in his Major League Soccer (MLS) debut for Los Angeles FC (LAFC) on Saturday, injecting energy as a second-half substitute during a 2-2 draw against Chicago Fire at SeatGeek Stadium.
| Player | Team | Opponent | Match Result | Minutes Played | Key Contribution |
| Son Heung-min | Los Angeles FC | Chicago Fire | 2-2 Draw | Substituted on 61′ | Drew a penalty leading to equaliser |
Son drew a penalty in the 77th minute, which new teammate Denis Bouanga successfully converted four minutes later. The spot-kick was awarded after Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervention, overturning the referee’s initial decision to let play continue.
“Obviously, it was definitely contact and it was definitely a penalty, I have no doubt about it,” said Son, who was brought down by Carlos Teran after breaking free on a counterattack.
“And, yeah, we tied the game, but I think we should have won this game — so a little bit disappointed,” he added.
| Son Heung-min’s Match Statistics | Detail |
| Shots on Goal | 3 |
| Shots Saved by Opponent Keeper (Chris Brady) | 3 |
| Penalties Won | 1 |
| Substitution Minute | 61st |
Son joined LAFC on Wednesday in a reported MLS record transfer worth $26 million, ending a decade-long tenure at Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League, where he became a household name.
The South Korean captain announced his departure from Spurs just the previous Saturday in his homeland.
He left Tottenham as the club’s fifth-highest goalscorer of all time, having scored 173 goals in 454 appearances.
Son’s first opportunity to play in front of home fans in Los Angeles will come on 31 August against Western Conference leaders San Diego.
| Match Timeline | Events |
| 11th Minute | Carlos Teran scores header for Chicago |
| 19th Minute | Ryan Hollingshead equalises for LAFC |
| 61st Minute | Son Heung-min substitutes David Martinez |
| 70th Minute | Jonathan Bamba puts Chicago ahead 2-1 |
| 77th Minute | Son wins penalty (confirmed by VAR) |
| 81st Minute | Denis Bouanga converts penalty, 2-2 draw |
During the match, numerous jerseys bearing Son’s name, South Korean flags, and welcoming signs were visible around SeatGeek Stadium. Fans greeted Son warmly as he entered the field.
Son had stated during his introductory press conference on Wednesday that he felt “fighting fit” and was eager to get on the pitch “as soon as possible.”
His arrival at LAFC also reunites him with former Tottenham teammate Hugo Lloris, the French goalkeeper, who praised the signing.
“It’s great for the league, great for the city, great for the club,” Lloris said, adding that Son will make a “big impact.”
