Son Heung-min Scores First MLS Hat-Trick as LAFC Beat Real Salt Lake
Son Heung-min made history on Wednesday night, netting his first Major League Soccer (MLS) hat-trick to lead Los Angeles FC (LAFC) to a convincing 4-1 victory over Real Salt Lake.
The South Korean superstar struck twice in the opening 16 minutes, giving LAFC a dominant 2-0 lead. He completed his treble in the 82nd minute, making it 3-1 before teammate Denis Bouanga sealed the win deep into stoppage time.
This performance takes the 33-year-old’s tally to five goals in just six games since joining LAFC last month after his decade-long spell with Tottenham Hotspur.
Son Enjoying Life in MLS
Speaking after the match, Son expressed his delight at the milestone:
"It’s amazing to get my first hat-trick in MLS," he said. "I’m very happy and grateful to everyone. Even if I don’t score, I enjoy playing for this club. Every training session and every game has been a joy, and getting a great result away from home makes it even more special."
Bouanga Breaks Club Record
Denis Bouanga, who joined LAFC from St-Etienne in 2022, scored his 94th goal in all competitions for the club, overtaking Mexican forward Carlos Vela as LAFC’s all-time leading scorer.
Bouanga’s 19th MLS goal of the season also puts him third in the scoring charts, behind Sam Surridge (21) of Nashville and Lionel Messi (20) of Inter Miami.
The Gabonese striker also showed his unselfish side, assisting Son’s second goal. This came just days after Bouanga bagged a hat-trick of his own in LAFC’s 4-2 win over San Jose Earthquakes, making it back-to-back hat-tricks for the club.
LAFC Push Into Playoff Places
The win lifted LAFC to fourth in the Western Conference, climbing above the Seattle Sounders with six regular-season games remaining.
Next up, LAFC host Real Salt Lake again on Sunday in Los Angeles, where the club will pay tribute to former captain and legend Carlos Vela. The 36-year-old, who retired in May, will be honored as LAFC’s first-ever club ambassador.