Son Heung-min Scores in LAFC's Regional Tournament Win

The South Korean star ended his goal-scoring slump in LAFC's 3-0 victory over Cruz Azul.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 6:36am

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An abstract, expressionist painting in neon colors depicting the dynamic motion and energy of a soccer player scoring a goal, with the player's face and jersey dissolved into unrecognizable brushstrokes.A vibrant, energetic painting captures the raw emotion of a crucial goal scored in a regional soccer tournament.Los Angeles Today

Son Heung-min, the star forward for Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), ended his recent goal-scoring drought by netting the opening goal in his team's 3-0 victory over the Mexican side Cruz Azul in the first leg of a regional tournament.

Why it matters

Son's goal-scoring form has been a key factor in LAFC's success, and this win helps the team advance in the regional tournament, which is an important competition for MLS clubs to showcase their talent against international opponents.

The details

Son scored the first goal in LAFC's 3-0 win over Cruz Azul, breaking a dry spell that had seen him struggle to find the back of the net in recent matches. The victory puts LAFC in a strong position heading into the second leg of the tournament.

  • The match took place on April 8, 2026.

The players

Son Heung-min

A South Korean professional footballer who plays as a forward for Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) in Major League Soccer.

Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC)

A professional soccer club based in Los Angeles, California that competes in Major League Soccer.

Cruz Azul

A professional football club based in Mexico City, Mexico that competes in Liga MX, the top division of Mexican football.

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What they’re saying

“It's great to see Son back on the scoresheet. He's a crucial player for us, and this goal will give him a lot of confidence going forward.”

— Bob Bradley, LAFC Head Coach

What’s next

LAFC will host the second leg of the regional tournament match against Cruz Azul on April 15, 2026.

The takeaway

Son Heung-min's goal-scoring return is a positive sign for LAFC as they look to make a deep run in the regional tournament and continue their strong start to the MLS season.