Quick Read
- Son Heung-Min scored twice for LAFC in the 2025 MLS Cup Semifinal against Vancouver, including a stoppage-time free-kick.
- LAFC lost to Vancouver Whitecaps in a penalty shootout after failing to score in extra time despite a numerical advantage.
- Son missed LAFC’s first penalty due to cramp, later revealing the physical struggle post-match.
- Son finished his debut MLS season with 12 goals and 4 assists in 13 games.
- LAFC will have a new manager in 2026 as Steve Cherundolo departs after the playoff exit.
Son Heung-Min’s Brilliance Can’t Save LAFC from Playoff Heartbreak
In a season packed with anticipation and star power, Son Heung-Min’s debut campaign with Los Angeles FC came to a dramatic halt in the 2025 MLS Cup Western Conference Semifinals. The South Korean legend, aged 33, delivered a performance that will be remembered by fans on both sides of the Pacific—but even his heroics couldn’t prevent LAFC’s exit, laying bare the team’s deeper tactical issues and sparking conversations about its direction.
From Miracle Goals to Missed Opportunities: The Vancouver Clash
On November 22, LAFC faced Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place in front of a sold-out crowd—53,000 tickets gone in just one minute, a testament to the magnetic draw of Son Heung-Min. The match, billed as a showdown between global icons—Thomas Müller for Vancouver and Son for LAFC—delivered drama in spades. But for much of the game, LAFC seemed overwhelmed by Vancouver’s relentless pressure, conceding two goals late in the first half and trailing 0-2 at halftime.
Son, however, refused to let the script end there. In the second half, he ignited LAFC’s comeback: after three determined shooting attempts, he found the net in the 60th minute. Then, deep into stoppage time, Son delivered a masterful free-kick—curled perfectly into the top corner—to force extra time. The stadium erupted. It was the kind of moment fans dream of, the mark of a world-class player refusing to give up.
Extra Time and Penalty Shootout: When Leadership Meets Cruel Fate
Despite Vancouver finishing extra time with just nine men—one sent off, another injured—LAFC could not capitalize. The match moved to penalties, and Son, ever the leader, stepped up as the first kicker. But just as the world watched, the story took a cruel turn: Son’s shot struck the post. Later, teammate Delgado also missed, and Vancouver advanced 4-3 in the shootout. Son later revealed the hidden battle he fought: “In the final seconds of extra time, I just had a muscle cramp and didn’t have a good feeling, but I tried to step up. When I shot, I felt the cramp again, and it was not as accurate as I could,” he told SI.com and other media.
For Son, who has known heartbreak at Tottenham Hotspur, this loss stung deeply. “I helped this team to extra time, but it feels like [the loss] is on me. I’m loving these moments, and always want to step up for the teams,” he shared post-match, his disappointment palpable but his resolve undiminished.
Star Power, Team Weaknesses, and the Road Ahead
Son’s performance—12 goals and 4 assists in just 13 MLS appearances—earned admiration from fans and pundits alike. Tottenham-focused outlets like Spurs Web marveled at his dominance: “He takes over MLS too easily at LAFC.” Others questioned why he hadn’t been allowed to take more free-kicks at Tottenham, noting his MLS Goal of the Year win and newfound set-piece prowess.
Yet, beneath the individual brilliance, LAFC’s broader vulnerabilities came into focus. Despite a numerical advantage in extra time, the team failed to break down Vancouver’s depleted defense. Criticism poured in on LAFC’s official channels, with fans calling it “a system problem” and lamenting that “only Son Heung-Min was proud.” Some even declared, “LAFC is a waste of a team for Son Heung-Min to play for.”
As the club transitions into preseason for 2026, a managerial change looms. Steve Cherundolo’s tenure is over, and Son has made it clear that his sights remain set on silverware. “It’s been fantastic. The people welcomed me incredibly, and I enjoyed every single moment. But in the end, I’m here to win trophies for the club. Today we were not successful, but next year I want to make sure that we are successful with every competition. LAFC will come back stronger than ever,” Son told SI.com.
Son Heung-Min’s Impact: More Than Just Goals
Son’s arrival in Los Angeles has electrified Major League Soccer. His ability to draw crowds, inspire teammates, and deliver when the stakes are highest has shifted the league’s global profile. The playoff clash with Vancouver wasn’t just a defeat; it was a showcase for MLS on the world stage—an entertaining, unpredictable battle that reminded everyone why football remains the beautiful game.
Yet, for all the spectacle, the underlying lesson is clear: individual brilliance can only go so far without a cohesive, resilient team behind it. LAFC’s 2025 campaign ended with heads bowed, but Son’s leadership, talent, and commitment provide hope for a renewed, reimagined squad in the seasons ahead.
Son Heung-Min’s first MLS season was a whirlwind of talent and tension: dazzling moments, bitter disappointments, and the unmistakable sense that one player can transform a league’s narrative. But as LAFC’s exit proved, football’s greatest stories are written by teams, not just stars. The challenge for 2026 is clear—build a side worthy of Son’s ambition, and perhaps next time, the miracle will last just a little longer.