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“Without Son Heung-min, There Is No LAFC”: He Directly Refutes Slump Rumors with 2 Assists; U.S. Media Agrees Criticism
🇰🇷 South Korea /Sports

“Without Son Heung-min, There Is No LAFC”: He Directly Refutes Slump Rumors with 2 Assists; U.S. Media Agrees Criticism is Unfair

From Chosun Ilbo · (17m ago) Korean Positive tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Son Heung-min, playing for LAFC, silenced critics by providing two assists in a crucial CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal match.
  • Despite not scoring, his contributions were vital in LAFC's 2-1 victory over Toluca.
  • American media acknowledged that criticizing Son solely for a lack of goals, without considering his overall impact, would be unfair.

There are those who question Son Heung-min's form, pointing to a perceived lack of goals since his move to LAFC. But let's be clear: Son is not just a goal scorer; he's a game-changer. His performance in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal first leg against Toluca, where he provided two crucial assists, is a resounding answer to any doubts.

LAFC secured a vital 2-1 victory, and while Son's name wasn't in the scoring column, his influence was undeniable. He orchestrated the attack, creating two clear-cut chances that led directly to goals. This is the kind of impact that transcends individual statistics and speaks to his value as a playmaker and leader on the field.

If there are no goals, is it a slump? How do you explain LAFC's two goals?

— OSENA rhetorical question posed by the South Korean media outlet, challenging the narrative that Son Heung-min is in poor form solely due to a lack of goals.

Even American media outlets have begun to recognize this. They understand that judging Son solely on goals is a narrow perspective. His ability to create, to influence the game in multiple ways, is what makes him such a valuable asset. For us in Korea, Son Heung-min represents more than just a player; he embodies the spirit of determination and skill that we are so proud of. To see him excel, even in ways that don't always make the highlight reels, is a testament to his enduring quality and a clear refutation of any 'slump' narrative.

Criticism is unfair.

— American mediaAcknowledging that judging Son Heung-min's performance solely on goals is an incomplete and unfair assessment.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Chosun Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.