Son Heung-min lit up the night in Utah on Wednesday as he bagged his first Major League Soccer hat-trick to inspire Los Angeles FC to a commanding 4-1 win over Real Salt Lake.
Son Heung-min, 33, needed only 16 minutes to make his mark, scoring twice in quick succession to hand LAFC early control. He later completed his treble in the 82nd minute, reestablishing a two-goal cushion after Salt Lake had briefly threatened a comeback.
Since leaving Tottenham Hotspur in the summer after a decade in North London, Son has wasted no time adjusting to life in the United States. His tally now stands at five goals in six matches for LAFC, a return that has already made him a fan favourite.
“It’s amazing to get my first hat-trick in the MLS,” Son said with a smile after the match. “I’m very happy and grateful to everyone. Even if I don’t score, I enjoy playing for this club and getting a good result away from home. I’m enjoying every single moment, every single training session and every single game.”
The night also belonged to Denis Bouanga, who wrote his name in club history. The Gabon striker’s late goal was his 94th in all competitions for LAFC, lifting him above Mexican star Carlos Vela as the club’s all-time top scorer.
Bouanga has been relentless this season, finding the net 19 times in MLS alone. Only Nashville’s Sam Surridge (21) and Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi (20) have more.
Bouanga, who joined from French side St-Etienne in 2022, also turned provider by setting up Son’s second goal. It was a fitting gesture just days after Bouanga himself claimed a hat-trick in LAFC’s 4-2 triumph at San Jose Earthquakes.
The victory pushed LAFC into fourth place in the Western Conference, edging past the Seattle Sounders with six regular-season games left to play.
Attention now turns to Sunday’s home clash with Real Salt Lake, where the club will honour its first-ever signing, Carlos Vela. The 36-year-old, who retired in May, has now taken up the role of LAFC’s first club ambassador.
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