By Amyn Bhai
Great teams rarely depend on one player to carry them. But when their biggest star rediscovers his scoring touch, the entire attack can become more dangerous. That may be exactly what happened last Friday night when LAFC defeated cross-town rival LA Galaxy 3-0 at the Galaxy’s Dignity Health Sports Park Stadium.
After 13 MLS matches and 45 shots without a goal, Son Heung-Min finally found the back of the net. The goal capped an emotional return from the FIFA World Cup and helped secure LAFC’s second consecutive league victory and back-to-back clean sheets as the club officially entered the second half of the 2026 MLS season.
The victory also moved LAFC into third place in the Western Conference with 27 points, providing momentum as the playoff race begins to take shape. “The derby is always really special,” Son said. “I just wanted to be part of it, and I just wanted to win. Being back, scoring goals, and winning with a clean sheet, I think, is going to be really helpful for our confidence through the second part of the season.”
While Son has faced criticism this season for his lack of goals, his impact has extended far beyond the scoresheet. The South Korean star has remained one of LAFC’s primary attacking threats, consistently creating opportunities for teammates despite his scoring drought. His nine assists rank among the league leaders, while his 31 chances created leads the club. Even as goals proved elusive, his influence on the pitch never diminished, reinforcing his status as one of MLS’s premier players.
The contrast from a year ago is striking. Through his first 13 league matches in 2025, Son had already scored 12 goals and added three assists. This season, through 13 league matches, he had no goals but nine assists. While the goals disappeared, Son’s impact on LAFC’s attack remained intact.
LAFC’s defense has carried much of the load this season, recording an MLS-leading 10 clean sheets, including consecutive shutouts entering the second half of the campaign. But if Son’s first goal marks a return to form, LAFC could become an even more dangerous contender in its pursuit of another MLS Cup title.
Next up, LAFC returns home Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. to face Real Salt Lake which trails the Black & Gold by just one point in the Western Conference standings. LAFC plays another home match at BMO Stadium on Saturday, July 25, at 7:30 p.m.
