Son Heung-min makes instant impact in LAFC launching
South Korea star Kid Heung-min made his Big league Soccer debut for Los Angeles FC Saturday, providing a burst of energy as a second-half alternative in a 2-2 draw with the Fire in Chicago.Son was brought down for a charge in the 77th minute that Denis Bouanga transformed to clinch a draw in the 81st minute– VAR verifying the spot-kick after the referee had allowed play to continue.Advertisement “It was an excellent pass. Undoubtedly it was certainly contact and it was certainly a penalty, I believe about it,” said Son, who was sent sprawling by Carlos Teran after racing on to a through ball with the objective in his sights.
“A bit dissatisfied not getting 3 points, but I think everyone put in a lot of effort. (I’m) happy I made my debut and I hope the objectives come quickly.”
The previous Tottenham captain also had a string of shots on objective, including one blocked in second-half injury time.Son signed with LAFC on Wednesday for a reported MLS record $26 after a years with Premier League club Stimulates, where he ended up being a household name.Advertisement The South Korea captain had revealed the previous Saturday in his homeland that he would be leaving the north London club and left as Tottenham’s fifth-highest goalscorer of perpetuity with 173 objectives in 454 appearances.Son will not get a possibility to play in front of home fans in Los Angeles till
August 31, when Western Conference leaders San Diego will be the visitors.But around the Fire’s SeatGeek Stadium there were a lot of fans wearing his jerseys, waving South Korean flags and holding up signs welcoming Kid to MLS.Cheers welcomed his entry in place of David Martinez in the 61st minute with the teams level at 1-1. Advertisement Jonathan Bamba put Chicago 2-1 ahead
in the 70th minute and were pressing once again when Brian Gutierrez’s shot bounced off the post and LAFC took the rebound.Nathan Ordaz played the ball
forward for Kid to race away. He had a very first MLS objective in his sights when he was brought down.The penalty permitted LAFC to level for a second time.Carlos Teran had opened the scoring
for the Fire in the 11th minute with a header from a corner.Eight minutes later on Ryan Hollingshead nodded in to make it 1-1.
Son had actually said at his introductory press conference– participated in by luminaries including Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass– that he felt fighting fit and wished to get on the pitch”as
soon as possible.”Advertisement He will have his next possibility when LAFC, who went up an area to 5th in the Western Conference, visit the New England Transformation next Saturday.”It was a decent thirty minutes in my legs, so, yeah, preparing yourself for next week,”Boy stated. “So we’ll see how I advance with the training sessions and with the players and we’ll see(if )next week I can start the game and make a big impact.”bb/dh