Son Heung-Min had an instant impact at the LAFC, winning a penalty kick of less than 20 minutes after his debut bench to help his new team save a 2-2 draw at Chicago Fire on Saturday.
The South Korea star, taking the ground only three days after sealing a transfer of 26 million dollars from Tottenham Hotspur, was removed in the penalty surface by the defender of Chicago, Carlos Terán, while he sprayed at the end of a ball with a clear view of goal.
Although he did not initially grant the penalty kick, referee Ricardo Montero underlined the place after an intervention by Var. Denis Bouanga, the team’s top scorer this season, converted the penalty to the 81st minute to give Lafc a share of the points in Bridgeview, Illinois.
“It was an excellent pass and there was certainly contact and it was definitely a penalty, without a doubt,” said sound.
“A little disappointed not to get three points, but I think everyone has made a lot of effort, happy to have made my debut and I hope that the goals will come soon.”
It was the second time that Lafc came from behind in the match, with the head of Ryan Hollingshead earlier, canceling Teran’s opening goal in the first half, before Jonathan Bamba put fire in front in the 70th minute.
He completed a whirlwind for seven days for his son. On Sunday, he did his emotional farewell in Tottenham after 10 years after a pre-season match in his native South Korea. On Wednesday, he approached Los Angeles, winning the Liegues Cup de Lafc victory against Tigres Uanl before being officially unveiled the next day during a welcoming event featuring the mayor of the city Karen Bass among other lights.
It was on the ground, however, that his son, who scored 173 goals in 454 competitive appearances during 10 years at Spurs, is to make most of his discussions.
And after obtaining his visa until Friday evening, he was immediately thrown into the thickness of the MLS action on Saturday.
Although he declared himself fully adapted to his arrival, his had to wait for the 61st minute to make his entrance as one of the greatest arrivals in the history of the MLS.
Things did not immediately happen in his sense when Bamba quickly marked to put Chicago in front. The local team almost extended its advance, but the former Tottenham teammate of his son, Hugo Lloris, made a vital intervention in order before the post held an effort by Brian Gutiérrez.
Immediately from this stay, Lafc came to the attack. Nathan Ordaz nourished the ball in front and his son, presenting the speed and direct race which helped make him a world star, first succeeded with only a fault to stop him with a first potential goal in black and gold.
This will have to wait at least a week, when Lafc, which has increased to fifth in the Western Conference, visits the New England Revolution.
“I am preparing and it was a 30 -minute decent in my legs to prepare for next week,” added her. “So we will see how I progress in training sessions and with the players and we will see if next week, I can start the game and have a big impact.”
