KOR
▲ Son Heung-min
LAFC's Son Heung-min, who brushed off the disappointment of an early exit at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup to score in two consecutive Major League Soccer (MLS) matches, has been named to the league's weekly Best XI.
Son secured a spot on the Team of the Matchday announced by the MLS office, which combined Rounds 16 and 17 of the 2026 season.
Son was included in the attacking line in a 3-4-3 formation alongside Luis Suárez (Inter Miami) and Kevin Kelsy (Portland Timbers).
Explaining the selection of Son, the MLS stated, "He has completely regained his form after returning from participating in the World Cup representing South Korea. He scored his first league goal of the season in the 3-0 victory over arch-rivals Los Angeles Galaxy, and added a goal and an assist in the 3-1 win against Real Salt Lake, maintaining his lead in league assists with 10. LAFC, led by head coach Marc Dos Santos, has achieved three consecutive wins."
Son, who recorded only assists in his first 13 matches after the opening of this MLS season and remained scoreless at the North and Central America World Cup, finally reported his first league goal of the season on the 18th—his first game back since the World Cup—scoring the쐐기 goal (the clincher) during the LA Derby against LA Galaxy.
Son then spearheaded a 3-1 victory on the 23rd in a home match against Salt Lake by recording one goal and one assist while also inducing an opponent own goal, thus being involved in all three of LAFC's goals.
This marks the second time this season that Son has been included in the MLS Team of the Matchday, which serves as the league's round Best XI.
Son was previously selected for the Best XI after leading LAFC to a 6-0 landslide victory against Orlando City in a Round 6 home match by recording a remarkable four assists in the first half alone.
LAFC is scheduled to play Sporting Kansas City at 11:30 AM on the 26th at their home stadium, BMO Stadium, in Los Angeles, California, USA.
(Photo: Getty Images)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.
