Son scores once, assists twice as LAFC beat Austin 3-1

Son Heung-min contributed to all three LAFC goals in a 3-1 home victory over Austin FC at BMO Stadium on October 14 local time, ending the club's four-match winless run. He provided two assists for Denis Bouanga before scoring himself in the second half. The result gave LAFC 45 points and its first win under its interim coach, according to Yonhap, Seoul Economic Daily and Hankook Ilbo. [ 6 , 11 , 12 ]

The teams were level at halftime before Son set up Bouanga seven minutes into the second half. Austin equalised through Brandon Vazquez in the 21st minute of the half, but LAFC regained the lead a minute later. An attempted clearance by the visiting goalkeeper struck Son and fell to Bouanga, who scored his second goal. Yonhap and Hankook Ilbo reported that MLS credited Son with an assist for that sequence. [ 6 , 12 ]

Son scored in the 27th minute of the second half, finishing a low delivery from Jacob Shaffelburg during a counterattack. He was substituted six minutes later. His goal was his seventh of the MLS season, while the two assists brought his league total to 15. That put him ahead of Lionel Messi and other players on 14 assists, the reports said. Including two goals in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, Son had nine goals in official club competitions. [ 6 , 11 , 12 ]

LAFC's preceding four league matches had produced two draws and two defeats. Yonhap and several other outlets put the club sixth in the Western Conference after the win, while one Dong-A Ilbo account said it had climbed to fifth. Yonhap reported that Austin remained 14th with 31 points. [ 5 , 6 , 9 , 11 , 12 ]