Son Heung-min was helpless because of the goalpost, following Messi's footsteps and not tasting victory at home.

On the morning of September 1 (Vietnam time), Son Heung-min had his first home match with Los Angeles FC. The attraction of the Korean star drew 22,000 spectators to the BMO Stadium to watch the match. But victory did not come.

Son Heung-min and Messi suffered bitter defeats on the same day

MLS chief Don Garber acknowledged the huge impact of Son Heung-min and Messi on the US professional soccer league. But he also could not have expected both to suffer defeat on the same day (September 1).

Son Heung-min was disappointed when Los Angeles FC lost to San Diego FC, when he missed many chances and the post denied him a delicious goal.

Photo: Reuters

Accordingly, Messi missed out on his second Leagues Cup title, after Inter Miami lost 0-3 to Seattle Sounders FC. Meanwhile, Son Heung-min was powerless to score, as he was denied by the post and missed many other opportunities, causing Los Angeles FC to lose 1-2 to San Diego FC.

"What's happening with Son Heung-min is similar to what happened with Messi. Honestly, I don't think anyone expected the Messi phenomenon to be as big as it is. And it's incredible. What he does on the pitch, what he achieves off the pitch, it's incredible.

What's happened with Son Heung-min over the past few weeks has been incredible. The Korean audience has been fantastic. Our ratings have been fantastic. Son Heung-min has been fantastic on the pitch. That's what you want. Los Angeles FC was very courageous. It was the largest transfer fee ever paid in MLS. That took a lot of courage, and it's starting to pay off," said Don Garber.

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Thereby, he also confirmed the record transfer period of MLS season 2025 with a total of more than 300 million USD (about 7,903 billion VND), when clubs spent to buy players.

The impact of Son Heung-min and Messi, along with new stars like Rodrigo De Paul and Thomas Muller, has been extremely positive, helping stadiums in the United States continuously set new attendance records. For example, the Leagues Cup final at Seattle Sounders FC's Lumen Field confirmed a new record when 72,000 spectators came to watch Messi and Inter Miami play. Or Son Heung-min's first appearance at Los Angeles FC's BMO Stadium was packed with spectators.

Messi failed to extend his record of winning championship titles, as Inter Miami lost 0-3 to Seattle Sounders FC.

Photo: Reuters

Not only that, Son Heung-min's next match with Los Angeles FC at Levi's Stadium (with a capacity of 68,500 spectators) against the San Jose Earthquakes, taking place on September 14, is also currently sold out as fans have booked tickets nearly a month in advance.

Despite the recent setbacks, American fans are still very much looking forward to seeing Son Heung-min and Messi, especially as they will have a confirmed meeting at MLS Cup later this year, right after the MLS regular season ends at the end of October.

Son Heung-min's Los Angeles FC is currently ranked 5th in the Western Conference standings with 41 points after 26 matches, while Messi's Inter Miami is ranked 6th in the Eastern Conference standings with 46 points after 25 matches.

MLS is also the remaining goal of these two teams in the 2025 season to win a championship title, after failing in other cup tournaments of the CONCACAF region (North, Central America and the Caribbean).

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/son-heung-min-bat-luc-vi-cot-doc-theo-chan-messi-lo-hen-tran-thang-ngay-san-nha-185250901122503553.htm