Son Heung-min showcased his determination by scoring his first goal in Major League Soccer (MLS) on July 18, during a match against LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles, California. This goal came after a challenging 237-day wait, marking a significant moment in his career.

In the 16th round of the 2026 MLS regular season, Son, who played as a forward in a 4-3-3 formation, netted the opening goal for LAFC in the 57th minute. After a swift counterattack, he dribbled past defenders and executed a precise right-footed diagonal shot into the bottom corner of the net, celebrating with his teammate Denis Bouanga.

LAFC triumphed with a 3-0 victory, earning three points that propelled them from fifth to third place in the Western Conference standings, now with a total of 27 points (8 wins, 3 draws, 5 losses). In contrast, LA Galaxy remained in ninth place with 20 points (5 wins, 5 draws, 6 losses).

Throughout the match, Son was a key player, attempting six shots before being substituted in the 75th minute. Despite facing several blocks and a near miss, his persistence paid off with the goal. He also recorded a remarkable 97% passing accuracy, completing 28 out of 29 passes, and contributed to the team's attacking efforts by creating two chances.

According to football statistics provider Footmob, Son received an impressive rating of 8.4, ranking as one of the top performers in the match. His scoring drought ended, and he now has one goal and nine assists for the season, further solidifying his role as a crucial player for LAFC.

This match not only marked his first goal in the league but also his debut in the highly anticipated "El Tráfico" rivalry, adding to the excitement of his performance.