Son Heung-min Strikes Early as LAFC Defeat San Jose
It didn’t take long for the Levi’s Stadium crowd to be electrified. Barely 52 seconds after kickoff, Son Heung-min found the net for Los Angeles FC, scoring the second-fastest goal of his career in a thrilling 4-2 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes. The move began with Artem Smolyakov driving down the flank before cutting the ball back for Son, who calmly slotted it home. For those keeping track, only his lightning strike against West Ham in 2020, timed at 45 seconds, was quicker.
This early breakthrough set the tone for what became a highly entertaining night of football. LAFC’s attack continued to pour forward, with Denis Bouanga adding to the spectacle. Bouanga embarked on a dazzling solo run from midfield in the ninth minute, finishing it with power to double the lead. Just two minutes later, he chipped the keeper with confidence to make it 3-0. Though Preston Judd pulled one back for San Jose, Bouanga was far from done, completing his hat trick late in the 87th minute. An unfortunate own goal by Sergi Palencia gave the Earthquakes a second, but by then the result was sealed.
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For Son, this goal capped off an impressive run of form. Only days earlier, he had returned from international duty with Korea, where he notched goals against both the United States and Mexico. In MLS, his tally now stands at two goals and two assists across five matches. Not bad for someone who joined the league less than a month ago after a decade in the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur.
The venue itself added another layer of significance. The match was held at Levi’s Stadium, home of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, rather than San Jose’s smaller PayPal Park. With a capacity of 68,500, the stadium is already set to host matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. And the draw worked—50,978 fans filled the seats, a record for the Earthquakes. The timing, coinciding with Mexico’s Independence Day weekend and boosted by Son’s popularity, made the night even more special.
After the match, Son reflected on his brief but eventful MLS journey. “It’s been a fantastic experience. I’m enjoying every single moment, every single second. Thank you for welcoming me so much in the MLS, and I want to win here,” he said. Just a couple of weeks earlier, he had even tried his hand at throwing a ceremonial first pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers—a moment he admitted made him more nervous than his LAFC debut.
The excitement around Son has spilled beyond the pitch. In Korea, demand to watch his MLS matches has reshaped broadcasting deals. Apple TV already holds worldwide streaming rights, but Coupang Play secured exclusive access for LAFC matches with Korean commentary. Spotv also began airing games live, starting with this very clash.
At 33, Son Heung-min continues to prove that his instinct for goals and his global appeal remain as sharp as ever. And if his blistering strike in Santa Clara is any indication, MLS fans can expect plenty more from the Korean star.
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