Son Heung-min of Los Angeles FC was all smiles after receiving a warm reception from American away fans during his Major League Soccer debut.

On August 10th (local time), Son made his first appearance for LA FC, coming on as a substitute in the second half of a match against Chicago at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois. He played approximately 30 minutes and made a significant impact on the field.

Son registered his first league shot in the 67th minute, and later drew a crucial penalty after colliding with a Chicago defender in the 77th minute, helping his team secure a draw from behind.

Due to a late visa approval, Son traveled with his teammates for the away match just four hours before kickoff and had limited time to train with the squad. Despite challenging circumstances, his movements on the pitch were well-received by both football analytics platforms and international media.

According to FootMob, a football statistics platform, Son recorded three shots, a 67% pass completion rate, and won one penalty, earning a match rating of 6.6.

Just a month ago, Son was in his tenth season at Tottenham Hotspur, having joined the club in 2015. Over his decade-long tenure, he achieved milestones including winning the Puskas Award, becoming the first Asian player to claim the Premier League Golden Boot, and lifting a major European trophy with a UEFA Europa League win after a 17-year drought for the club, solidifying his status as a "Tottenham legend" with 454 appearances, 173 goals, and 101 assists.

With new challenges on the horizon, Son bid farewell to Tottenham and headed to the United States, marking a significant chapter in his career.

The recent Chicago match signaled Son's first step onto U.S. soil as an MLS player. American sports website MLSSoccer hailed his performance as "electrifying," proclaiming that "the Son Heung-min era has officially begun in MLS." Athlon Sports added, "Former Tottenham star Son Heung-min played a decisive role in his MLS debut, leaving a memorable impression and playing a key part in the team's draw."

The outlet continued, "For the former Tottenham captain, this debut was an unforgettable moment. He made a strong impression from his very first appearance, and the fans gave him a standing ovation in celebration of his debut."

After the match, Son expressed mixed feelings about his own performance, saying in a post-game interview, "I was a little disappointed with myself," but he was deeply satisfied with the support from fans.

"It was truly enjoyable," said Son. "This was my first time experiencing such a warm welcome from away fans. This is what we know as a true 'welcome.' When I was playing in the English Premier League, I was always booed during away matches. But here, seeing people celebrate so wholeheartedly and enjoy football was a delight for me," he remarked with a smile.

Having completed his MLS debut, Son Heung-min is set for his second match in the United States on August 17th against New England.

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=MHN DB, Son Heung-min SNS, LA FC PR Team