Son Heung-min scores first league goal of season in return from World Cup

Son Heung-min scored his first Major League Soccer regular-season goal of the campaign in his first match back with LAFC after the 2026 North and Central America World Cup.

Son started in LAFC's 2026 MLS regular-season Round 16 away match against LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, on Friday (Korean Standard Time). With his side already leading 2-0, he added a third in the 57th minute.

It was Son's first league goal of the season. Since the campaign began, he had scored twice — both in the CONCACAF Champions Cup — while going scoreless in MLS play.

Son had entered the World Cup with nine assists but no goals in MLS since the league's February opener. He returned to his club after South Korea's group-stage exit and found the net in his first appearance back.

It was also Son's first appearance in the El Tráfico derby against LA Galaxy since joining LAFC last summer. He scored with a right-footed shot in the 57th minute, receiving a return pass from Marc Delgado after feeding him following a dribble into space.

Buoyed by Son's goal, LAFC carried a 3-0 lead into the remainder of the second half.