In the 6th minute of the match at Toyota Stadium, Los Angeles FC (LAFC) was awarded a free kick from the left, about 25 meters out. Son stepped up and curled a perfect right-footed shot into the top near corner, leaving goalkeeper Michael Kolodziej helpless.

Teammates lift Son Heung-min after he scored for LAFC against Dallas at Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas, USA, on the evening of 23/8/2025. Photo: Yonhap

Teammates lift Son Heung-min after he scored for LAFC against Dallas at Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas, USA, on the evening of 23/8/2025. Photo: Yonhap

This was Son's first goal for LAFC, following a penalty he won against Chicago on 11/8 and an assist against New England on 18/8. Even the home fans celebrated Son's goal. Dallas has the largest Korean-American population in Texas, explaining their enthusiastic response.

This is only the second free-kick goal Son has scored for a club. The first was against Watford in the third round of the English Premier League in 2021. He rarely took free kicks at Tottenham, as that duty fell to Christian Eriksen and later Harry Kane.

Son joined LAFC for a record MLS fee of around 26 million USD. He reunited with former Tottenham teammate, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. However, Lloris couldn't prevent Dallas from equalizing in the 13th minute. LAFC finished their three-game road trip with one win and two draws. Son contributed a goal and an assist during these matches.

After the Dallas game, Son expressed his joy at scoring his first goal for LAFC but also his disappointment at the draw. LAFC defender Nkosi Tafari suggested Son's goal belonged in "the Louvre".

LAFC's next match is against San Diego FC on 31/8. This will be Son's first home game for LAFC.

Playing in the Western Conference, LAFC won't face Eastern Conference team Inter Miami until the playoffs. Both teams are likely to qualify, setting up potential clashes between Son and Lionel Messi.

Considered one of the best Asian players in history, Son rose to prominence at Leverkusen before joining Tottenham in the summer of 2015. Over 10 years, he became Tottenham's fifth highest scorer with 173 goals and one of only seven players to make over 450 appearances (454) for the club. He won the FIFA Puskas Award for his solo goal against Burnley in 2019 and the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2021-2022 season with 23 goals.

Before leaving this summer, Son helped Tottenham win the 2024-2025 Europa League, his first club trophy. He was one of 13 captains to lift a trophy in the London club's history.

Hoang An