(foto: Getty Images)
Son Heung-min registered his league-leading ninth assist before the World Cup break, but his first MLS goal of 2026 finally arrived against LA Galaxy.
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Son Heung-min has finally scored his first MLS goal of the season, and the South Korean could hardly have chosen a better occasion.
Son completed LAFC’s commanding 3-0 victory over LA Galaxy in El Tráfico, producing an excellent finish from the edge of the penalty area in the 57th minute.
The former Tottenham captain had been one of the league’s most productive creators, recording nine assists, but arrived at the city derby without a goal from his first 13 MLS appearances of the campaign.
His drought finally ended in match number 14.
LAFC were already two goals ahead when Mark Delgado received possession during a counter-attack and returned the ball to Son near the top of the penalty area.
The Korean controlled the move before guiding a powerful right-footed shot diagonally into the bottom corner. Galaxy goalkeeper Novak Mićović had no realistic chance of stopping it.
Son celebrated emotionally with Denis Bouanga and his other teammates. His relief was understandable: it was his first league goal in 237 days.
“I knew I had a long drought, but I wasn’t worried,” Son said after the match. “My focus was always on the level of my performance.”
Son had gone close shortly after half-time, forcing Mićović into a diving save with another curling attempt from distance. Ten minutes later, he found the corner and removed one of the few remaining concerns surrounding his start to the season.
He had hardly been ineffective before the derby. Son’s nine assists are the joint-highest total in MLS, demonstrating that he continued to create chances even while his own finishing deserted him.
He also scored twice during LAFC’s Concacaf Champions Cup campaign, including a goal and an assist in the 3-0 victory over Cruz Azul.
Son finished the derby with six shots, two chances created and a 97 per cent passing accuracy before being replaced after approximately 76 minutes.
Mark Delgado opened the scoring against his former club in the 26th minute. His initial header was blocked, but the ball returned to him, and he converted the rebound.
Bouanga doubled the advantage from the penalty spot during first-half stoppage time. The Gabon international has now scored in seven consecutive appearances against the Galaxy, the longest sequence in the history of El Tráfico.
Son’s goal completed the scoring and helped LAFC climb to third place in the Western Conference with eight victories, five defeats and three draws.
The result also brought the overall El Tráfico series level. LAFC and the Galaxy now have ten victories each, with seven matches ending in draws.
Son has produced 25 goal contributions in his first 27 MLS appearances, including the play-offs, since leaving Tottenham for Los Angeles in August 2025.
LAFC return to BMO Stadium on Wednesday, when they host Real Salt Lake.
After nine assists and 13 frustrating matches, Son has finally opened his MLS account for 2026. The finish suggested that more goals may follow quickly.