Son Heung Min experienced a rollercoaster night of "heaven and hell" in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
On the evening of November 22 (local time), LAFC faced the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Conference Semifinals at BC Place. Despite a heroic performance from Son that dragged his team back from the brink of defeat, LAFC was ultimately eliminated after a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss (2-2, PSO 3-4).
Son's Dramatic Comeback
Trailing 0-2 at halftime and heavily marked by defenders, Son mounted a stunning second-half comeback. He scored his first goal in the 60th minute before netting a dramatic free-kick equalizer deep in stoppage time (90+6'), single-handedly forcing the match into a penalty shootout.
A Fatal Miss & Hidden Injury
After saving the game, Son stepped up as the first kicker in the penalty shootout but missed his shot. LAFC eventually lost the shootout 3-4, bringing their season to a bitter end.
In a post-match interview, Son revealed the physical toll the match took on him. "I had a slight muscle cramp at the end of extra time," he explained regarding the missed penalty. "I felt it even when I was taking the penalty kick."
Reflecting on the match, he also shared his mixed emotions: "It was an important moment, and it felt really good to score at such a decisive time... I played for LAFC's championship. I missed the penalty today, but I promise to succeed next year."
He concluded with a vow to the fans, stating, "I am very disappointed today. I will come back stronger than ever next season."
Match Context
LAFC started with an aggressive 4-3-3 formation with Son as the central striker, supported by Hugo Lloris in goal. Vancouver, featuring star midfielder Thomas Muller, dominated the first half. Despite the loss, Son's ability to score two goals while being heavily targeted proved he remains a top-tier game-changer.
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