Criticism of Son Heung-min is intensifying as the South Korean star remains goalless in MLS this season.
LA FC suffered a 4-1 defeat against Houston at BMO Stadium on May 11 local time, marking their second consecutive disaster after a 0-4 loss to Toluca. The result leaves LA FC’s third-place spot in the Western Conference in jeopardy, with a potential drop to sixth place depending on other results.
Playing as the No. 10, Son fought hard but could not prevent the collapse after an early equalizer was followed by a counterattack goal. With no league goals through 12 rounds, voices of discontent are rising.
Daniel Solana, who hosts and appears on an MLS-related podcast, took to social media after the match: “It’s strange how quiet Son’s start has been. If any other star had gone over 700 minutes without a goal, they’d face heavy criticism. But Son somehow gets a free pass.”
Some fans pushed back, arguing that Son leads the league in assists and is a great ambassador for the league with his media appearances and smile.
Solana responded sharply: “Leading in assists provides some buffer, but LA FC didn’t sign Son just for that. No club pays $26.5 million (about 39.5 billion won) to sit a ‘brand ambassador.’ If we start judging Designated Players by media exposure or smiles per game, this league no longer deserves to be called a serious professional league.”
Others echoed Solana’s sentiment: “Son doesn’t look like last season’s player at all. He’s forgotten how to score. He looks slow and can’t beat two defenders. Last season, he’d burst through anyone. Now he struggles just to start.”
Defenders countered: “Son is playing as a midfielder. There’s no one to finish chances in this team. If you want to compare him to Messi, let him play as a false nine. Son always gets criticized first.”
American outlet Sports Illustrated also raised concerns: “Son has played nine MLS matches this season with zero goals and seven assists. His productivity is worrying.”
It’s a frustrating situation for Son, whose abilities are being sacrificed under head coach Mark Dos Santos’ unconventional tactics.