Son Heung-min Makes MLS History with Four First-Half Assists, Takes Lead in Regular Season Assists

Leads LAFC to a 6-0 Victory
Seven Assists This Season... Two Ahead of Second Place

Son Heung-min became the first player in Major League Soccer (MLS) history to record four assists in the first half, taking the sole lead in assists in the regular season.

On April 5 (Korean time), Son started in the 2026 MLS Round 6 home match against Orlando City at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California, and led Los Angeles FC (LAFC) to a dominant 6-0 victory by recording four assists in the first half alone. With this win, LAFC secured their fifth win and one draw of the season, maintaining their solo lead in the Western Conference.

Son assisted Denis Bouanga's hat-trick in the 20th, 23rd, and 28th minutes of the first half, and also set up Sergi Palencia's additional goal in the 39th minute. Earlier, in the 7th minute, with the score still 0-0, his sharp cross led to an own goal by Orlando defender David Brekalo. LAFC scored five goals in the first half of the match, all of which Son was involved in.

Son Heung-min is watching the trajectory of the ball after attempting a shot during the 2026 MLS Round 6 home match against Orlando City held on the 5th (Korean time) at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California, USA. Photo by Roditer Yonhap News

Son now leads the league with seven assists in the regular season, two ahead of Luka Langoni (New England Revolution) and Maxi Moralez (New York City FC), who are tied for second place.

After playing in both national team matches during the A-match period, Son was substituted in the 57th minute of the second half.

This was the first time in his professional career that Son recorded four assists in a single match. Four assists in the first half of a match is also unprecedented in MLS history. Son is only the second player in MLS to record four or more assists in either half of a match, following Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), who registered five assists in the second half against New York Red Bulls on May 5, 2024.

However, Son was unable to find the net once again. He has recorded seven assists in six regular-season matches this season. Including cup competitions, he has one goal and eleven assists in ten matches.

Son scored his only goal of the season with a penalty kick (along with three assists) in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round 1 against Real Espana (Honduras) in February, which was also the team's first match of the new year. Since then, he has not scored in the following nine official matches.

LAFC manager Dos Santos expressed his satisfaction with Son's performance, stating, "He is a tremendous asset to the team."

Manager Dos Santos added, "It's not necessary to score every time. What matters is contributing to the team, and Son is doing that brilliantly right now." He continued, "Son is dedicated and works hard. His performance in the first half was truly outstanding, and I have complete trust in him."

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