Chicago Fire v Los Angeles FC: Son eyeing legendary status after MLS move

New Los Angeles FC signing Son Heung-min mentioned that he desires to be remembered as a “legend” as soon as his stint within the MLS involves a detailed.

Son accomplished his swap on Wednesday following his departure from Tottenham, turning into the costliest switch in MLS historical past after his reported £20m transfer.

The South Korean scored 173 objectives and 101 assists for Spurs in all competitions, together with 154 aim involvements in 333 matches within the Premier League.

The charge paid to Spurs by LAFC surpasses the earlier MLS report of £16.5m that Atlanta United splashed on Emmanuel Latte Lath from Middlesbrough in February.

Son was current at LAFC’s 2-1 Leagues Cup win over Mexican aspect Tigres on Tuesday, and spoke to the media 24 hours later about his transfer.

“It’s a dream come true. LA – what a metropolis,” mentioned Son. “If I’m trustworthy, it was not my first alternative.

“However the first name I had with [LAFC co-president] John [Thorrington] after my season completed, he modified my thoughts, modified my coronary heart, my mind.

“Simply because I carried out nicely in Europe, there isn’t a assure that I’ll carry out nicely right here.

“Since I’m beginning a brand new problem right here, I feel I’m ranging from zero, and since I’m ranging from zero, I at all times wish to grow to be a legend. That’s my dream.”

New Beginnings

Welcome to Los Angeles, Sonny! pic.twitter.com/fFS1PvI7PG

— LAFC (@LAFC) August 6, 2025

Son might make his debut this weekend when LAFC journey to SeatGeek Stadium to tackle Jap Convention playoff hopefuls Chicago Hearth this weekend.

The Hearth are hitting type at simply the best time with 10 video games of their common season remaining after back-to-back league victories over CF Montreal and the New York Purple Bulls.

Gregg Berhalter’s crew discover themselves ninth within the Jap Convention standings, two factors forward of the Purple Bulls, who sit simply outdoors the cut-off line for the playoffs.

Whereas LAFC, who’re sixth within the Western Convention, could pose a unique menace to Chicago, Berhalter is assured his crew can construct on their improved shows on the again.

“Two clear sheets in a row. I don’t assume I do know this crew my goodness,” Berhalter quipped. “Particularly 1-0 wins, they go to date for confidence.

“When you’re pushed, as you usually are when you find yourself successful 1-0, to have the ability to bend however not break is an effective high quality of any robust crew.

“Their anticipated objectives (xG) complete was one thing across the 1.5 mark, in order that was robust. They [NYRB] have some good attacking gamers and general I’m pleased with this group.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chicago Hearth – Hugo Cuypers

In what has been a combined season for Chicago, Cuypers has been in superb type, netting his 14th aim of the season of their win over the Purple Bulls final day trip.

Solely Nemanja Nikolic (twice), Ante Razov and Mike Magee have scored 15 or extra objectives in a single season for Chicago, and Cuypers will probably be eager so as to add his title to that listing.

LAFC – Denis Boosa

Whereas all of the speak has been round Son’s arrival at LAFC, Bouanga has starred for the crew this season, netting 13 league objectives in 21 matches this season.

However the LAFC talisman failed to attain in his final regular-season match towards Portland. He has not gone consecutive league matches and not using a aim since between March and early April 2025.

MATCH PREDICTION: LAFC WIN

This would be the third assembly between Chicago and LAFC, with the Hearth recording a win and a draw within the first two, most not too long ago a 0-0 stalemate in Might 2019. This would be the first assembly between the groups in Chicago in 2,506 days (September 19, 2018).

The Hearth have received their final two regular-season matches, retaining clear sheets in each. Chicago had managed shutout wins in simply two of their earlier 67 league matches courting again to August 2023.

LAFC’s defeat to Portland was simply the membership’s second defeat of their final 15 regular-season matches (W7 D6). They’re unbeaten in all 5 away matches over that span (W1 D4), although.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chicago Hearth – 30.4%

Draw – 25%

Lafc – 44.7%