South Korean star Son Heung-min made a lively MLS debut for Los Angeles FC on Saturday, coming off the bench to spark a 2-2 draw against the Chicago Fire.

Introduced in the 61st minute with the score at 1-1, Son immediately energized the attack. In the 77th minute, he was brought down by Carlos Teran on a breakaway, winning a penalty confirmed by VAR. Denis Bouanga converted from the spot four minutes later to secure the point.

“Obviously there was contact, and it was definitely a penalty — no doubt about it,” Son said afterward. “We tied the game, but I think we should have won, so I’m a little disappointed.”

Beyond the penalty, Son recorded three shots on target, all stopped by Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady.

The match marked the first step in a new chapter for Son, who signed with LAFC on Wednesday for a reported MLS-record $26 million transfer fee after 10 seasons with Tottenham Hotspur, where he scored 173 goals in 454 appearances — the club’s fifth-highest tally. His move reunites him with former Spurs teammate Hugo Lloris, who predicted Son would make a “big impact.”

Son’s LAFC home debut will be on August 31 against Western Conference leaders San Diego. The signing is expected to resonate strongly with Los Angeles’ large Korean community, with BMO Stadium located just south of Koreatown.

Even on the road in Chicago, Son received a warm welcome, with fans waving South Korean flags and donning LAFC jerseys bearing his name. “I really enjoyed it,” Son said. “In the Premier League, away fans always booed me, but here people were celebrating and enjoying the football.”

Chicago’s Carlos Teran opened the scoring in the 11th minute, before LAFC’s Ryan Hollingshead leveled in the 19th. Jonathan Bamba put the Fire back in front in the 70th, setting the stage for Son’s decisive penalty play. Read more…..

Source:The Guardian