Son Heung-Min watches his shot on goal in the second half against Orlando City at BMO Stadium. Yonhap
Son Heung-min has snapped his goal-scoring drought in a home victory for his Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) at a regional tournament.
Son netted the opener in LAFC’s 3-0 win over the Mexican side Cruz Azul in the first leg of the quarterfinals at the Concacaf Champions Cup at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Tuesday (local time). The 30-minute marker was Son’s first open-play goal in 11 matches in all competitions this season.
Cruz Azul, the defending champions of the tournament for clubs in North America, Central America and the Caribbean, dominated the run of play in the early going before Son’s goal turned the tide. On a fast break, Mathieu Choiniere crossed the ball toward the center of the box, and Son beat defender Willer Ditta to the ball and poked it past goalkeeper Kevin Mier for the 1-0 LAFC lead.
David Martinez scored in the 39th and then in the 58th minute to round out the scoring for LAFC.
Son had not scored since converting a penalty in an opening round match at the Concacaf Champions Cup against Real Espana on Feb. 17.
Son was also held goalless in Korea’s two friendly matches against Ivory Coast and Austria last month, further fueling the narrative that he had lost a step at age 33.
Following the international break, Son collected a career high four assists in a Major League Soccer match Saturday in LA and then found the back of the net against Cruz Azul.
The second leg of this quarterfinal series will be next Tuesday at Estadio Cuauhtemoc in Puebla, Mexico.