Son Heung-min (33), who plays for Los Angeles FC (LAFC) in Major League Soccer (MLS), recorded four assists in a single match for the first time in his career. Powered by Son's dominant performance, LAFC demolished Orlando City 6-0.
Son started the MLS Round 6 home match against Orlando City on Sunday at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California, and tallied his eighth through 11th assists of the season — all in the first half alone. It was the first time Son has recorded four assists in a single match. He leads the MLS in assists.
Combining six MLS matches (seven assists) and four CONCACAF Champions Cup matches (four assists) this season, Son reached double-digit assists in just 10 official matches.
However, his goal drought remained a concern. Since scoring on a penalty kick (along with three assists) in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round 1 against Real España (Honduras) on Feb. 1 — his first match of the new year — Son has gone nine consecutive matches without a goal. Including two international matches he played after joining the South Korean national team in March, the drought extends to 11 consecutive matches.
Son lined up alongside Denis Bouanga and Tyler Boyd in a 3-4-3 formation as part of a front three. LAFC dominated Orlando, who sit 13th in the Eastern Conference this season.
LAFC took the lead in the seventh minute when Son forced an own goal. Son made a run behind the opposition defense to receive a through pass from Sergi Palencia, then delivered a low cross from the right side of the six-yard box toward the center. The ball deflected off Orlando defender Brekalo's leg and into the net.
The "Heung-Bu Duo" of Son and Bouanga then hit full stride. The pair combined for three goals between the 20th and 28th minutes of the first half. In the 20th minute, Son played a pass from near the halfway line to Bouanga, who was making a run behind the defense. Bouanga then chipped the ball into the net with his right foot from the top of the penalty area.
Three minutes later, Bouanga collected a long ball from Son and scored with a right-footed shot from the left side inside the penalty area. In the 28th minute, Bouanga exchanged passes with Son near the penalty arc before completing his hat trick with a right-footed shot from the center of the penalty area. All three of Bouanga's goals originated from Son's feet.
In the 40th minute, Son received a pass from Bouanga on the right flank, drove the ball to near the goal line on the right side of the six-yard box, and delivered a cross to the center to set up Palencia's additional goal.
In the 57th minute, Son attempted a left-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, but the ball sailed just wide of the post. Immediately after the shot, Son was substituted for David Martínez to applause from the home fans.