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Son Heung-min: LAFC and South Korea superstar scores ‘amazing’ first MLS hat-trick as Bouanga breaks record

LAFC forward Denis Bouanga called Son Heung-min 'so good'

Written by Ben Miller
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Son Heung-min: LAFC and South Korea superstar scores ‘amazing’ first MLS hat-trick as Bouanga breaks record

Son Heung-min shared a hug with new LAFC all-time top scorer Denis Bouanga and said he is “very, very happy” after scoring his first MLS hat-trick in a 4-1 win at Real Salt Lake on Wednesday.

South Korea captain Son, who joined his new side from Tottenham for a reported MLS-record fee of more than $26.5 million earlier this month, has five goals in six appearances, as well as contributing an assist in each of his first two matches.

“It’s amazing,” the 33-year-old said at the America First Field, where LAFC cemented a place among the play-off positions and Bouanga’s goal took the forward past ex-Mexico international Carlos Vela’s record of 93 goals for the club.

Real Salt Lake vs LAFC: Son hat-trick

Former Premier League golden boot winner Son added that he was “very grateful” to Timothy Tillman, Ryan Hollingshead and Bouanga for setting up his goals, as well as LAFC’s defense for a “really good job”.

Having netted after 53 seconds in a 4-2 home win over San Jose on Saturday, Son took 125 seconds to strike from a one-on-one after collecting midfielder Tillman’s pass.

Tillman was instrumental in the 16th-minute second goal, feeding right-back Hollingshead to tee up Son’s right-footed drive from outside the box.

Rwan Cruz hit a post from a penalty for Salt Lake after the break and Zavier Gozo’s scissor kick 14 minutes from time raised suspense levels before Son slid in six minutes later to meet Bouanga’s ball and complete his first treble since one against Burnley for Tottenham in September 2023.

Denis Bouanga: LAFC all-time top scorer

Bouanga’s right-footed finish from a counter-attack in the 88th minute – his first attempt at goal of the game – made the 30-year-old the leading marksman in LAFC’s eight-year history.

“I’m happy to surpass Carlos and I’m happy Sonny scored three,” said Bouanga, whose 19 league goals this season put the Gabon forward one behind Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and two shy of MLS top scorer Sam Surridge, of Nashville.

“He’s so good. It’s a good feeling [between] Sonny and I.”

LAFC are fourth in the Western Conference, two points above the fifth-placed Seattle Sounders and five behind the third-placed Vancouver Whitecaps.

Steve Cherundolo’s face Real Salt Lake again in the MLS on Sunday, starting at 19:00 ET (16:00 PT / 02:00 on Monday BST) at the BMO Stadium.

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