Son Heung-min Shines With First MLS Hat-trick in LAFC’s 4-1 Win

Son Heung-min marked another milestone in his Major League Soccer adventure with a brilliant hat-trick that fired Los Angeles FC to a 4-1 win over Real Salt Lake in Utah on Wednesday night, Sport360NG reports.

The former Tottenham Hotspur captain, who joined LAFC in August for a reported league-record fee of $26 million, struck twice in the opening half before completing his treble after the interval. The South Korean star has now scored five times in just six MLS outings, underlining his seamless transition to American football.

Denis Bouanga also found the net late on, becoming LAFC’s all-time leading scorer with his 94th goal in all competitions. The victory lifted Steve Cherundolo’s side into fourth place in the Western Conference, two points clear of Seattle Sounders.

Real Salt Lake threatened an early breakthrough when Diego Luna shot narrowly wide in the second minute. LAFC immediately capitalised, as Timothy Tillman dispossessed in midfield and released Son, who calmly beat goalkeeper Rafael to open the scoring.

Son doubled the advantage 14 minutes later with a thunderous strike from distance, before former Spurs teammate Hugo Lloris kept Salt Lake at bay with several crucial saves.

The hosts squandered a lifeline early in the second half when Rwan Cruz’s penalty came back off the post. They eventually pulled one back through Xavier Gozo in the 76th minute, but Son quickly restored LAFC’s cushion, finishing off a Bouanga assist after a swift counterattack.

Bouanga then wrapped up the result in the 88th minute, racing onto David Martinez’s pass to etch his name in club history by surpassing Carlos Vela’s scoring record.