LAFC’s Son Heung-min scores free kick vs. FC Dallas to mark first MLS goal originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The ball rose like a comet, curling over the wall and dipping at just the right moment.
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It only took five minutes for Son Heung-Min to deliver the kind of strike that makes crowds gasp in unison.
One swing of his right foot, and Major League Soccer had its first taste of the magic Tottenham fans knew all too well, and LAFC fans will soon come to love.
For Son, this wasn’t just a goal—it was a statement. Signed this summer in a record-breaking move from Tottenham Hotspur, the South Korean superstar arrived in Los Angeles carrying the weight of expectation. Could he bring the same brilliance that made him a Premier League icon to the MLS stage? On Saturday night in Texas, he answered that question with authority.
The free kick was pure artistry. Standing just outside the box, Son eyed the wall, then the far corner. The whistle blew, and with trademark precision he bent the ball high and wide, only to see it crash into the top left corner of the net. The goalkeeper had no chance. The traveling LAFC supporters erupted. Even the Dallas faithful, stunned, could only admire the quality.
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It was the kind of goal that reminds you why Son has become one of the most beloved figures in world football. At Tottenham, he scored 162 goals across all competitions, building a reputation as both a relentless scorer and a selfless teammate. Now in MLS, he seems determined to carve out a new legacy—this time in black and gold.
The goal was similar to Lionel Messi’s first goal with Inter Miami in the summer of 2023.
The match itself remained tightly contested, with LAFC and FC Dallas knotted 1-1 at halftime. But Son’s strike will be the moment replayed across highlight reels, social feeds, and conversations in both Los Angeles and Seoul.
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What makes this chapter so compelling is the cultural weight Son carries. He’s not just LAFC’s marquee signing; he’s Asia’s most recognized footballer, a captain of the South Korean national team, and a global ambassador for the sport. Every touch he takes in MLS resonates far beyond the stadium walls.
For LAFC, his arrival fills the void left by Olivier Giroud’s return to France earlier this summer. For the league, it’s a landmark signing—another sign that global stars see MLS not as a step down, but as a stage to showcase brilliance in front of passionate American supporters.
One game, one free kick, one unforgettable goal—and suddenly, the story of Son Heung-Min in Los Angeles has begun in spectacular fashion.
