'Son Heung-min Contributes to Winning Goal' LAFC Defeats Austin 2-1 in First Game of PO First Round

Son Heung-min Selected as Official MLS MVP... Received Highest Rating of 8.1 from FotMob

Son Heung-min Rousing the Fans [Kelvin Kuo-Imagn Images/Reuters=Yonhap News]

LAFC, with Son Heung-min playing nearly the full match and leading the attack, has decorated the first game of the 'fall soccer' season with a victory.

Son Heung-min started the first leg of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs (PO) Western Conference Round 1 home game against Austin at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles (LA) on the 30th (Korean time), forming an attacking duo with Denis Bouanga. He played until stoppage time in the second half before being substituted for Jeremy Eboobi.

Although Son Heung-min, who scored his 9th MLS goal in the regular season finale against Colorado on the 19th, did not add any offensive points in this match, he contributed to the victory by being involved in Nathan Ordaz's goal in the 34th minute of the second half.

LAFC secured the advantage in the best-of-three first round with a 2-1 victory, thanks to Ordaz's winning goal.

MLS determines its champion through playoffs, with 8 teams from each of the Eastern and Western Conferences qualifying for the round of 16 after the regular season.

The first round is a best-of-three series, while the quarterfinals, semifinals (conference finals), and the championship final are all single-elimination matches.

LAFC, which finished 3rd in the Western Conference (60 points) in the regular season, faced Austin, who finished 6th (47 points), in the first playoff hurdle. They will play the second leg away on November 3rd.

If both teams win one game each up to the second leg, they will play a decisive third match at BMO Stadium on November 8th to determine which team advances to the quarterfinals.

Brendan Hines-Ike's own goal [Kelvin Kuo-Imagn Images/Reuters=Yonhap News]

LAFC took the lead in the 20th minute of the first half thanks to an own goal from the opponent.

A cross from Ryan Hollingshead, who had penetrated deep down the left side of the penalty area, was deflected by Austin defender Brendan Hines-Ike as he attempted to clear it, sending the ball into the net.

LAFC continued to create chances with Son Heung-min and Bouanga leading the charge.

In the 36th minute of the first half, Son Heung-min broke through on the right flank, escaped four opposing players, and took a left-footed shot, but it was saved by Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver.

In the 43rd minute, Son Heung-min dribbled from behind the halfway line and passed to Bouanga, who was moving to the left inside the penalty area. Stuver again saved Bouanga's powerful right-footed shot.

LAFC, unable to extend their lead, conceded an equalizer in the 18th minute of the second half.

In a scramble in front of the goal, LAFC's defense failed to clear the ball completely, and John Gallagher, receiving a pass from Owen Wolff, scored with his left foot.

Nathan Ordaz's goal [Getty Images/AFP=Yonhap News]

LAFC struggled to regain the lead, with Hollingshead's header from Son Heung-min's corner kick in the 24th minute of the second half also being saved by Stuver. However, LAFC took the lead again in the 34th minute of the second half with a goal contributed by Son Heung-min.

Son Heung-min opened up space with a penetrating run through the center, drawing defenders, and then passed. Bouanga's shot from the left of the penalty area took a slight deflection off a defender before heading towards the goal.

Ordaz then added the finishing touch just before the goal line to score the winning goal.

Although not officially recorded as an assist, Son Heung-min's contribution to this play was clear.

Son Heung-min was substituted for Eboobi in stoppage time of the second half, with his team maintaining the lead, looking ahead to the second leg.

Son Heung-min Selected as 'Player of the Match' for the First Round, First Leg of the Playoffs [MLS X (X) Capture. Reproduction and DB prohibited]

After the match, MLS announced on its website that Son Heung-min had been selected as the 'Player of the Match.' MLS also shared the news on its official X account, stating, 'Always making an impact.'

Football statistics specialist FotMob gave Son Heung-min, who recorded two shots on target, created seven chances, and had an 86% (18/21) passing accuracy, the highest rating of 8.1 for both teams. Yonhap News