Son Heung-min scores, adds two assists to claim sole MLS assist lead

Season's 7th goal, 15th assist; LAFC beats Austin 3-1

Win ends four-game winless run, marks Tamarit's first victory as interim coach

Son Heung-min scored one goal and set up two more Thursday to move into sole possession of first place in MLS assists, as LAFC ended a five-game winless streak with a 3-1 victory.

Son was instrumental in all three of LAFC's goals in their 2026 MLS home match against Austin FC at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California.

The goal was Son's seventh of the MLS season and his ninth in all competitions, including two in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. His assist tally rose to 15, moving him ahead of Lionel Messi of Inter Miami and others on 14 to take the outright league lead.

Starting as an attacking midfielder, Son tested the goalkeeper with a header in the 37th minute but could not find the net. LAFC attempted 13 shots in the first half without scoring, then turned to Son to unlock the attack after the break.

In the 52nd minute, Son played the ball from the right side of the penalty area to the far post, setting up Denis Bouanga's opening goal.

Brandon Vazquez equalized in the 66th minute, but LAFC retook the lead just a minute later through a combined effort from Son and Bouanga. After the opposing goalkeeper cleared the ball, it deflected off Son and fell to Bouanga, who finished it. MLS credited Son with the assist.

Son Heung-min in action against Sporting Kansas City on Tuesday. [Getty Images]

Son put the result beyond doubt in the 72nd minute. On the counter-attack, he converted a low cross from Jacob Shaffelburg down the left flank with his right foot. It was his first MLS goal in two appearances since the match against San Jose on Sept. 20.

Substituted off in the 78th minute, Son finished with a goal and two assists, having been involved in every goal his team scored.

LAFC had managed just two draws and two defeats in their previous four matches. The club also went through a managerial change late last month, dismissing head coach Mark dos Santos and appointing assistant Xavi Tamarit as interim coach.

In Tamarit's debut — a match against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday — LAFC held a numerical advantage from early on after an opposing player was sent off, yet could only draw 1-1. Son, who also started as an attacking midfielder that day, failed to register an attacking contribution.

Against Austin in the same role, however, Son was involved in all three goals and sparked a turnaround in form. The win, LAFC's first under Tamarit, lifted the club to 45 points and kept them sixth in the Western Conference.

yjc@heraldcorp.com