Washington (AFP) – Los Angeles FC’s South Korean superstar Son Heung-min grabbed his first Major League Soccer goal on Saturday, burying a first-half free kick in a 1-1 draw with FC Dallas. Son, the former Tottenham captain who signed with LAFC this month for a reported MLS record $26 million transfer fee, made his third appearance, and second start, for his new club.
Six minutes into the contest in suburban Dallas, Son took the free kick — awarded on Chris Cappis’s foul on LAFC’s Denis Bouanga — from 25 yards out. He lofted it over the wall with enough pace to beat Dallas goalkeeper Michael Collodi. “I’m glad I scored the first goal for the MLS and also for LAFC,” Son said. “But for me, the most important thing is to get three points. I’m really, really disappointed for that.”
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Son has wasted no time in making his presence felt. His first goal comes a week after he delivered an assist in LAFC’s 2-0 win over New England Revolution. “I need still a lot of time to be connecting with the team,” said Son, who will play his first home game next weekend when LAFC host Western Conference leaders San Diego. “It’s been only two weeks — maybe a little bit more than two weeks. But I’m enjoying every single moment.”
Logan Farrington scored the equalizer for Dallas in the 13th minute, and while LAFC dominated possession, they couldn’t find another goal. “I thought we dominated the game,” Son said. “I think we didn’t have a really difficult day … We created chances, but not scoring goals throughout the game, I think it’s really disappointing.”
Elsewhere, Inter Miami, playing without injured Argentine superstar Lionel Messi as they rested all but three of their regular starters, were held to a 1-1 draw at D.C. United — who were eliminated from MLS Cup playoff contention. Messi and Jordi Alba were nursing injuries, with eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi still feeling the effects of a thigh muscle injury suffered earlier this month. With the Leagues Cup semi-final against Orlando on Wednesday, Inter coach Javier Mascherano opted to rest Luis Suarez, Rodrigo De Paul and Sergio Busquets as well.
Baltasar Rodriguez scored his first career MLS goal for Inter, grabbing the equalizer in the 64th minute, slotting home a corner by Rodrigo De Paul. Jackson Hopkins had put United ahead in the 13th with his second goal in as many games. Inter are fifth in the Eastern Conference standings, eight points behind leaders Philadelphia, who defeated Chicago 4-0 on Saturday. Philadelphia’s 54 points are two more than Cincinnati — who fell 1-0 at home to New York City FC.
Nashville are four points back in third after thumping Orlando 5-1. Sam Surridge and Hany Mukhtar scored two goals apiece for Nashville, with Surridge taking his tally for the season to a league-leading 20 — one more than Messi. Inter, because of their involvement in the Leagues Cup cross-border competition for teams from MLS and Mexico’s Liga-MX, have three games in hand on the conference leaders. Inter defeated Tigres UANL in the Leagues Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday without Messi, but hope to have their superstar back when they face Orlando on Wednesday for a place in the final of the tournament they won in 2023 during Messi’s first season in MLS.
© 2024 AFP
