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| Son Heung-min / Photo courtesy of Getty Images |
LAFC hammered Orlando City 6-0 on April 5 (KST) at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles in Week 6 of the 2026 MLS season.
The win moved LAFC to 5 wins and 1 draw (16 points), tightening their grip on the top spot in the Western Conference.
Son started as the lone striker and played 57 minutes before being replaced by David Martinez in the 57th minute, finishing the match with four assists — the first four-assist game of his career.
He had a hand in all five first-half goals, including forcing an own goal from defender David Brekalo in the 7th minute.
Still, Son didn’t score. Since converting a penalty against Real España on Feb. 18 in the CONCACAF Champions Cup first round, he has gone nine club matches without a goal.
He was also scoreless during March’s international fixtures against Ivory Coast and Austria, extending the drought to 11 matches across club and country.
That run has sparked talk about an “aging curve,” but Dos Santos made clear his trust in Son remains unwavering.
According to MLS’s official website, Dos Santos said after the game, “Son has been a huge asset to our team. He doesn’t have to score every game. What matters is helping the team, and Son is doing that exceptionally well right now. I view him differently because of that.”
“He was involved in all five of our first-half goals. What more could you ask for?” he added.
Dos Santos continued, “If people expect Son to score five goals every match, that’s unrealistic. He’s committed and works incredibly hard. I trust him completely. His first-half performance was outstanding — his play was truly dominant.”
[Sports Today reporter Shin Seoyoung sports@stoo.com]
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