Los Angeles FC forward Son Heung-min recorded one goal and two assists to propel his side to a 3-1 victory against Austin FC at BMO Stadium, taking sole possession of the Major League Soccer assist lead.
Son Heung-min Directs All Three Goals in Home Victory
Los Angeles FC midfielder Son Heung-min played a direct role in every scoring sequence during the 3-1 win over Austin FC on 15 September (local time). Playing in an advanced attacking midfield role, the 34-year-old South Korean international sealed the result in the 72nd minute by sprinting from the half-line on a counterattack before finishing a cross from teammate Jacob Shaffelburg with his right foot. That strike marked his seventh Major League Soccer goal of the season and his ninth across all competitions.
Earlier in the match, Son helped jump-start the attack as LAFC erased a deficit. In the 52nd minute, he dribbled down the right side of the penalty area and connected on a feed that Denis Bouanga put away to equalize at 1-1. Ten minutes later, a clearance from the Austin FC goalkeeper deflected off Son directly into the path of Bouanga, who scored his second of the night to give the home side a 2-1 advantage. Son played until the 78th minute before being substituted.
Passing Lionel Messi Atop the Major League Soccer Assist Chart
With his two helpers against Austin FC, Son raised his season total to 15 assists, moving past Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, who sits at 14 assists. The playmaker’s creation rate has surged since his arrival in Major League Soccer, placing him at the summit of the league’s assist leaderboard as the regular season enters its final stretch.
Reports from JoongAng Ilbo noted that Son’s multi-goal contribution proved vital in halting a prolonged slide for Los Angeles FC, which had gone four consecutive league matches without a victory prior to the fixture.
Ending a Four-Match Winless Run and Securing Interim Stability
The 3-1 victory snapped a four-match winless streak that included two draws and two losses for Los Angeles FC, lifting the club to sixth place in the Western Conference standings with 45 points from 30 matches on a record of 12 wins, nine draws, and nine losses.
The result also delivered a successful debut for interim manager Xavi Tamarit. The club elevated Tamarit following the dismissal of former head coach Marc Dos Santos at the end of last month, a move prompted by a difficult stretch that saw the team manage only one victory across 11 matches.
