Son Heung-min Achieves First MLS Hat-Trick in LAFC Victory
Son Heung-min recorded his first Major League Soccer hat-trick as Los Angeles FC triumphed 4-1 over Real Salt Lake on Wednesday.
The South Korean forward scored twice within the first 16 minutes, giving LAFC an early 2-0 lead, before completing his hat-trick with a goal in the 82nd minute to extend the score to 3-1.
This performance brought the 33-year-old’s total to five goals in six matches since he transitioned to LAFC from Tottenham, marking the end of his 10-year tenure with the English club.
"It's amazing to get my first hat-trick in the MLS," Son expressed. "I’m very happy and grateful to everyone. Even if I don’t score, I enjoy playing for this club and achieving good results away from home. I’m relishing every moment, every training session, and every game."
Teammate Denis Bouanga rounded off the scoring with his 94th goal in all competitions for LAFC, making him the club’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing Mexico's Carlos Vela.
Since joining from French club St-Etienne in 2022, Bouanga has netted 19 goals in the MLS this season, trailing only Nashville's Sam Surridge (21) and Inter Miami's Lionel Messi (20).
The 30-year-old Gabonese forward selflessly assisted Son for LAFC’s second hat-trick in consecutive games, following Bouanga’s own treble in Saturday’s 4-2 victory against the San Jose Earthquakes.
With this latest win, LAFC climbed to fourth place in the Western Conference, surpassing the Seattle Sounders, with six regular-season matches remaining.
Real Salt Lake will visit Los Angeles on Sunday, where LAFC plans to honor the club’s first signing, Carlos Vela. The 36-year-old retired from professional football in May and has since taken on the role of LAFC’s first club ambassador.