'1 Goal, 1 Assist' Son Heung-min Scores in 3 Consecutive Games, First Home Goal... Now Has 6 Goals, 2 Assists (Comprehensive)

Son Heung-min Records '1 Goal, 1 Assist' Against Real Salt Lake... Bouanga Scores a Hat-trick

Son Heung-min performing the 'click' celebration [AFP=Yonhap News]

 'Premier Striker' Son Heung-min (33) of Major League Soccer's (MLS) Los Angeles FC (LAFC) exploded for his third consecutive goal with his first multi-point performance in a single game (1 goal, 1 assist), leading his team to a comeback victory.

On the 22nd (Korean time), Son Heung-min started as the lone striker in LAFC's 3-4-3 formation in the 2025 MLS regular season home game against Real Salt Lake at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California, contributing to a 4-1 victory with a one-man show of 1 goal and 1 assist.

Following his goal against the San Jose Earthquakes on the 14th and his three goals against Real Salt Lake on the 18th, Son Heung-min found the back of the net again in the 'return match' against Real Salt Lake today, extending his goal streak to three consecutive games and scoring his sixth goal of the season.

In addition, Son Heung-min assisted Denis Bouanga's equalizer in first-half stoppage time when LAFC was trailing 0-1, marking his second assist of the season and increasing his season's offensive output to 6 goals and 2 assists.

Son Heung-min has now scored 6 goals in just 7 appearances since joining LAFC, placing him second on the team in scoring behind Bouanga, who achieved a hat-trick today (22 goals).

Notably, this is the first time Son Heung-min, who joined LAFC in August, has scored a goal in a home game.

LAFC, with their impressive three-game winning streak, maintains their fourth-place position in the Western Conference with a record of 14 wins, 8 draws, and 7 losses (50 points).

Son Heung-min attempting a shot [Kelvin Kuo-Imagn Images=Yonhap News]

LAFC faced Real Salt Lake using a three-striker formation, with Son Heung-min as the focal point of their attack, flanked by Bouanga and David Martinez.

In the 7th minute, LAFC's chance to score early was thwarted when Denis Bouanga, receiving a penetrating pass from Son Heung-min in midfield, had his right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area saved by the goalkeeper.

Failing to capitalize on early opportunities, LAFC conceded first to a surprise long-range shot from Real Salt Lake.

In the 14th minute, Real Salt Lake took the lead when central defender Brayan Vera, after receiving the ball from a short corner kick on the right, scored with a powerful left-footed shot from just outside the penalty arc.

Fans cheering for Son Heung-min [AFP=Yonhap News]

Fighting back, LAFC's chance came in the 24th minute when Son Heung-min's left-footed shot, from a slight pass by Bouanga on the left side of the penalty area, was parried by the goalkeeper, a moment of regret.

Following the immediate right-side corner kick, Son Heung-min's delivery was met by defender Ryan Mclaren, who had joined the attack, with a header from the front of the goal that struck the crossbar, a moment of 'goal frame misfortune' that drew sighs from the home crowd.

In the 1st minute of first-half stoppage time, as the possibility of a scoreless first half loomed, LAFC finally found their equalizer, a goal orchestrated by Son Heung-min and Bouanga.

Bouanga scored the equalizing goal with a right-footed shot after receiving a soft pass from Son Heung-min on the left side of the penalty area.

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

With momentum on their side, LAFC took the lead two minutes later with Son Heung-min's go-ahead goal.

Son Heung-min received the ball from Martinez near the right side of the penalty arc and unleashed a powerful left-footed shot that curled into the left post of Real Salt Lake's goal before crossing the line.

After assisting Bouanga's equalizer in first-half stoppage time, Son Heung-min also scored the go-ahead goal, achieving 1 goal and 1 assist in just 3 minutes.

This marked Son Heung-min's first multi-point performance in a single game since his MLS debut last month.

LAFC went into halftime with a 2-1 lead, thanks to the consecutive goals from Bouanga and Son Heung-min.

In the 7th minute of the second half, Son Heung-min attempted to extend the lead with a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area, but his effort was saved by the goalkeeper.

Scoring a goal [AFP=Yonhap News]

LAFC sealed their victory in the 28th minute of the second half with Bouanga's insurance goal, a play that originated with Son Heung-min.

Receiving a pass from deep, Son Heung-min immediately played it to Adewole Morán, who then threaded a quick penetrating pass forward.

Breaking through the final defensive line, Bouanga completed his multi-goal game with a shot that lobbed the goalkeeper from the front of the penalty area after a solo run.

Confident in their victory, LAFC substituted Son Heung-min in the 40th minute of the second half to manage his energy.

LAFC put the finishing touches on their commanding 4-1 victory in the 42nd minute of the second half when Bouanga completed his hat-trick with a right-footed shot from the front of the penalty area.

Bouanga's hat-trick, his first of the season and extending his scoring streak to four consecutive games, brings his season total to 22 goals, tying him with Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, 22 goals) for the league lead. Yonhap News

Denis Bouanga celebrating a goal [AFP=Yonhap News]