Son Sparks LAFC Comeback with Penalty in 2-2 MLS Debut”

South Korean football star Son Heung-min made a memorable Major League Soccer debut for Los Angeles FC, coming off the bench to win a penalty that secured a 2-2 draw against Chicago Fire.

The match, played at SeatGeek Stadium, saw Son introduced in the 61st minute, just days after completing a high-profile transfer from Tottenham Hotspur in a deal reportedly worth over $26 million the biggest in LAFC’s history.

Chicago opened the scoring in the first half through Carlos Terán’s header, but LAFC equalised when Ryan Hollingshead found the net. The hosts regained the lead in the second half courtesy of Jonathan Bamba.

Son made an immediate impact after his introduction, using his pace and movement to trouble Chicago’s defence. In the 77th minute, he was brought down inside the penalty area by Terán. While the referee initially waved play on, a VAR review overturned the decision, awarding LAFC a spot kick. Denis Bouanga converted in the 81st minute to level the score for the visitors.

Speaking after the match, Son expressed gratitude for the warm reception from fans, describing the assist that led to the penalty as a “great pass” and insisting the foul was clear. He admitted some disappointment at not marking his debut with a win but said he was encouraged by the team’s fighting spirit. The atmosphere, he added, was refreshing compared to the hostility he often encountered during away fixtures in the Premier League.

Son joins LAFC with an impressive record from his decade-long spell at Tottenham, where he scored 173 goals and provided 101 assists in 454 appearances. His arrival is expected to boost LAFC’s push in the Western Conference, where they currently sit in fifth place.

LAFC will next face the New England Revolution on August 16, with fans eager to see more of the Korean forward’s influence in the MLS.