Son Heungmin Scores Twice but Misses in Shootout... LAFC Misses Out on Conference Final (Comprehensive)

Son Heungmin Scores Twice in Second Half, Forcing Extra Time
Misses First Penalty in Shootout... LAFC Falls 3-4

Son Heungmin delivered a stellar performance by scoring two goals in the second half during the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup Playoffs Conference Semifinal against the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada, on the morning of the 23rd (Korean time). However, he missed his penalty kick in the shootout, failing to lead his team, Los Angeles FC (LAFC), to victory.

LAFC drew 2-2 with the Whitecaps after regular and extra time, but lost 3-4 in the penalty shootout, missing out on a spot in the final. Son Heungmin played a decisive role in dragging the match into extra time and penalties by scoring two goals in the second half after LAFC had been trailing 0-2. However, he was unable to convert his penalty in the shootout.

The match was held at the Whitecaps’ home stadium. LAFC finished third in the Western Conference in the regular season with 60 points (17 wins, 9 draws, 8 losses), while Vancouver was second with 63 points (18 wins, 9 draws, 7 losses).

Son Heungmin is roaring after scoring a free-kick goal in the 5th minute of added time in the second half to tie the game 2-2 during the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs Conference Semifinal against Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada, on the morning of the 23rd (Korean time).
Photo by AFP Yonhap News

LAFC, facing the challenges of an away game, showed a frustrating performance in the first half. Neither Son Heungmin nor Bouanga managed a single shot in the first half, and the team as a whole failed to register any shots. In contrast, the Whitecaps were allowed seven shots. LAFC’s ball possession in the first half was only 35%.

The Whitecaps also struggled to break through. Although they controlled the flow of the match, they failed to create decisive chances. Their first goal came as a result of a defensive error by LAFC.

In the 39th minute of the first half, Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka sent a long pass forward from a goal kick. Emmanuel Sabbi broke through between two LAFC defenders and quickly found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris rushed out, but Sabbi calmly chipped the ball over Lloris’s head to score the opening goal.

After conceding the first goal in disappointing fashion, LAFC allowed another goal just before the end of the first half. In a corner kick situation right before halftime, Thomas Mueller of the Whitecaps attempted a header. LAFC goalkeeper Lloris dove to his right and parried the ball, but Matthias Larvoda, positioned in front of the goal, immediately converted the rebound to score the second goal.

In the second half, LAFC increased the number of midfielders through substitutions and shifted to a more attacking formation. The change paid off quickly. Son Heungmin and Bouanga both registered their first shots early in the second half, taking the initiative in attack.

Son Heungmin scored a goal in the 15th minute of the second half. Delgado sent a cross in front of the goal, and Andrew Moran headed the ball down to Son Heungmin. Son immediately struck with his right foot, and although the goalkeeper blocked the shot, he quickly followed up on the rebound to find the back of the net. Two defenders, in addition to the goalkeeper, tried to block the shot on the goal line, but Son maintained his focus and managed to score.

LAFC continued to push for another goal. In the 19th minute of the second half, Son Heungmin drew a foul from defender Tristan Blackmon while breaking through on the left side. He took the free kick himself and sent the ball deep into the box, but the goalkeeper was able to catch it.

In the 38th minute of the second half, LAFC had a sharp corner kick from Delgado, which Hollingshead met with a header, but the ball narrowly missed the right side of the goal.

In stoppage time, LAFC gained momentum after an opposing defender was sent off for a second yellow card. Bouanga broke through on the left flank and drew a second foul from Blackmon, resulting in Blackmon’s dismissal for accumulated yellow cards.

The position of the free kick was almost identical to where Son Heungmin had scored a free-kick goal against Bolivia on the 14th. Son replicated his previous success with another exquisite free kick, sending the ball into the net. He leaped high and roared in celebration, but ultimately could not secure the final victory.

LAFC failed to break down the Whitecaps’ solid defense during extra time, and eventually bowed out in the penalty shootout.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.