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Son Heung-min prepares for postseason return with LAFC
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- Son Heung-min prepares for postseason return with LAFC
Son Heung-min is ready for a return to the MLS postseason after helping the Los Angeles Football Club clinch a playoff bid.
Los Angeles FC clinched a spot in the MLS playoffs after a 2-2 draw with the LA Galaxy on Sunday, Oct. 25, reaching the postseason for the eighth time in the franchise's nine-year history.
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"We still got two more games to play in the regular season," Heung-min said of LAFC's fight for playoff positioning. "We want to finish as high as possible so we can have a home game as many times as possible."
LAFC have 47 points and trail the San Jose Earthquakes and the Houston Dynamo by one point in the standings, and will face Minnesota United on Nov. 1 and the Seattle Sounders on Nov. 7.
Heung-min believes the black and gold missed an opportunity to tie San Jose in the standings after an offside call against teammate Denis Bouanga in the 29th minute of the first half resulted in his apparent goal being called back.
"We were talking about yesterday's games still and I feel like we deserved the three points and then especially because we created many chances," Heung-min said. "The first goal I scored should've counted as a goal, but that was the referee's decision.
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"… We also have to respect that decision. But, obviously, it is disappointing a little bit because we play at home during the playoffs."
Heung-min has seven goals and 15 assists in 29 games played this season. He is just one assist shy of setting LAFC's single-season assists record set by Carlos Vela in 2019 when he was named the MLS MVP.
Son Heung-Min of the Los Angeles Football Club in action against the LA Galaxy at BMO Stadium on October 25, 2026, in Los Angeles, California.
Heung-min sets South Korea scoring record
Heung-min captained South Korea in the World Cup earlier this year as the country finished 1-0-3 and was eliminated in the group stage. After the elimination, Heung-min expressed how "indescribably hurt" he was.
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He did manage to break South Korea's all-time scoring record, producing his 59th international goal during a friendly match against Uzbekistan.
"It was a huge honor. ... I was never thinking about it when I started in the national team," he said. "After 16 years in the national team, I'm the top scorer."
Heung-min integrating with LA community off the pitch
Heung-min has spent parts of two seasons in Los Angeles and continues to ingratiate himself with the community.
In the hours that followed the El Tráfico draw, the 34-year-old partnered with Chime and Knowlej to visit with Fairfax High School in Los Angeles.
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The event was intended to help provide school attendance incentives and financial education programming to local area schools.
Heung-min's mission was to meet with approximately 200 students during a school assembly and help them stay motivated and invested in their future while sharing his own journey and adversity.
"It just feels weird coming back to the school, but it makes me really excited to see all the students," Heung-min said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Son Heung-min prepares for postseason return with LAFC
