Son Heung-min Ends Goal Drought and Silences Critics With MOTM Performance

Son Heung-min has ended a 10-match goal drought by scoring his first open-play goal of the 2026 season, leading Los Angeles FC to a 3-0 victory.

The South Korean forward, who joined the Major League Soccer club in 2025 after a decade-long tenure with Tottenham Hotspur, was named Man of the Match for his performance in the win against Cruz Azul.

Following his goal, Son celebrated by using a blah, blah gesture, a move reported by several outlets as a direct response to critics and ongoing discussions regarding an aging curve and a perceived decline in his performance.

Overcoming the Goal Drought

The goal marks a significant turning point for the 33-year-old attacker, who had struggled to find the back of the net in open play since the start of the 2026 campaign. Prior to this match, Son had gone 10 games without a field goal, a stretch that had drawn scrutiny from observers of the league.

The victory was decisive, as LAFC added two further goals after Son’s strike to secure the 3-0 result. This clinical performance helps silence critics who had questioned the veteran’s impact in North America.

Playmaking Dominance and Record-Breaking Form

While the goal drought was a point of contention, Son has remained a primary catalyst for the LAFC offense. His ability to create opportunities for teammates has been evident throughout the early stages of the season.

On April 5, 2026, during a 6-0 victory over Orlando City at BMO Stadium, Son recorded four assists in the first 39 minutes of play. This achievement matched a Major League Soccer record previously set by Lionel Messi, making Son only the second player in league history to record four or more assists in a single half.

His synergy with teammate Denis Bouanga has been a cornerstone of LAFC’s attack, contributing to the team maintaining its position at the summit of the Western Conference.

Managerial Support and Team Context

LAFC manager Marc Dos Santos has previously defended Son against expectations that the forward should maintain the same scoring rate he achieved while playing in London. Following the Orlando City match, Dos Santos emphasized that Son’s value extends beyond goalscoring.

Sonny has been amazing. He doesn’t have to score every time. He has to help the team and that’s what he’s doing, so I see it differently.

Marc Dos Santos

Son’s transition to the United States follows a prolific career in Europe, including stints at Hamburger SV and Bayer Leverkusen. During his time with Tottenham Hotspur from 2015 to 2025, he recorded 127 goals in 333 appearances.

As of April 4, 2026, Son has appeared in 16 matches for Los Angeles FC, recording 9 goals. His current form as both a playmaker and a finisher reinforces his status as one of the most elite creators in the league and the captain of the South Korea national team.