'First MLS Hat-trick' Son Heung-min: "Still Adapting... I Can Do Better"

Scored 5 goals in 6 games after transfer... "Every second, every moment is enjoyable"

'Heung-Bu Duo' Bouanga Compares Son Heung-min to LAFC 'Legend' Carlos Vela

Son Heung-min shooting [AFP=Yonhap News]

"I think I'm still in an adaptation period. I believe I can definitely do better than now."

'Sensation' Son Heung-min (LAFC), who exploded for his first hat-trick in Major League Soccer (MLS), expressed confidence that he has not yet shown his full potential and has more to offer.

On the 18th (Korean time), Son Heung-min put on a 'one-man show' with three goals in the 2025 MLS regular season away match at America First Field in Sandy, Utah, leading his team to a 4-1 victory.

He scored the opening goal just 3 minutes into the first half, and then extended the lead with a sharp right-footed shot from outside the penalty area in the 16th minute of the first half.

He then completed his 5th MLS season goal in the 37th minute of the second half, combining with Denis Bouanga to score the team's third goal.

In a video interview with reporters after the match, Son Heung-min, when asked about his feelings on scoring his first hat-trick since his transfer, deflected the praise, saying, "Before talking about myself, I want to say that it's thanks to the other players who played well."

He added, "I don't think (Bouanga and I) scored a hat-trick because we played that well. I hope the other players on the team receive the spotlight. Especially the defenders, I think they deserve praise for doing a good job of blocking the opponent's crosses and shots."

Son Heung-min celebrating after scoring [AFP=Yonhap News]

Son Heung-min has scored 5 goals in about a month since transferring to LAFC, quickly integrating into the team and injecting vitality without a significant adaptation period.

LAFC has achieved its first winning streak since Son Heung-min joined, recording 3 wins (2 draws, 1 loss) in 6 games. Considering that 5 of the 6 games were away matches, this is a remarkable achievement.

In particular, in the last two games where Son Heung-min played as a two-striker with Bouanga, they have each scored a hat-trick, further enhancing the threat of their offense.

Son Heung-min said with a bright smile, "We've been having very enjoyable games recently. Whether I score or not, every second, every moment, every training session, and every match is enjoyable."

He added, "Bouanga is a player I can learn a lot from. I haven't been on the team for long, but he's adapting a lot to me, which seems to be creating synergy."

Bouanga, a French player who has garnered attention as part of the 'Heung-Bu Duo' among domestic fans, compared Son Heung-min to Carlos Vela, a former Mexican national team forward and LAFC 'legend'.

Denis Bouanga and Son Heung-min celebrating a goal [AFP=Yonhap News]

Bouanga stated, "When I play with Sonny, I feel it's similar to when I played with Carlos. Both are perfect partners."

He continued, "Sonny and I complement each other well, so I think our chemistry is really good. Last time, I scored a hat-trick, and this time Sonny did. I think since he joined the team, we've had many more spaces and opportunities to attack."

LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo also did not hide his special affection for Son Heung-min.

He said, "Since we started playing with Sonny and Bouanga as a two-striker formation, our attack has become much more fluid. With just a slight change in formation, our team has become more unpredictable and harder to defend." (Yonhap News)