Disappointment Turns to Disbelief for Son

Los Angeles FC’s Heung-min Son began the day as a hero, but ended it as a tragic figure. The South Korean star’s extra-time brace against Vancouver Whitecaps wasn’t enough to secure a win in the MLS playoff quarter-finals. Instead, his penalty miss in the shootout decided the match in Thomas Müller’s Whitecaps’ favor.

“That’s on me. The team gave everything, I’m very proud. As I said: That’s on me.” – Heung-min Son, after the match

– 247Sports News

“In the second half of extra time, I had muscle cramps and didn’t feel good,” Son revealed. “I went to the penalty spot despite the cramps. When I took the penalty, I felt the cramp again at the last moment before the shot, and the shot wasn’t precise.”

From Hero to Goat in a Moment

After a disputed 2-0 deficit, Son single-handedly dragged Los Angeles FC back into the game. First, he halved the score with a follow-up shot after his own missed strike (60′). Then, with a stoppage-time free-kick from a half-left position, he curled the ball into the top left corner to equalize (90’+5′).

Despite their dominance, Son and LAFC failed to secure victory within extra time. Once again, Müller got the better of his South Korean rival. In the past, the ex-Bayern star joked that his teams always “destroyed” Son’s teams.

Heartbreak for LAFC, Joy for Whitecaps

LAFC’s penalty shootout loss, following Son’s hit on the post, eliminated them from the MLS playoffs. Meanwhile, Müller and his Whitecaps teammates celebrated their semi-final berth. While Son shouldn’t bear all the blame for the loss, his cramp-induced penalty miss was the crucial moment that decided the match.

Despite this setback, the South Korean seems to be taking the MLS by storm. With twelve goals and four assists in just thirteen games, he has proved to be a valuable addition to the league.