Son Heung-Min Fever reached the Northeast this weekend as the South Korean superstar made his first start for LAFC when the reigning MLS Western Conference champions defeated the New England Revolution 2-0 at Gillette Stadium.
Fans travelled from near and far to catch a glimpse of the former Tottenham Hotspur FC forward, who started his first match since joining the 2022 MLS Cup Champions on August 6th.
After a teasing second-half cameo in the 2-2 draw last Saturday vs Chicago Fire FC, Son gave his endearing supporters a moment to remember by picking up his first LAFC assist during second-half stoppage time to seal the win over the Revs.
Son's first MLS assist for LAFC. Video: @MLS on Twitter
Wherever Son goes, South Korea follows. Just over 27,000 fans – 27,043 was the announced attendance number – packed into Gillette Stadium Saturday night, marking the second-highest crowd for a Revolution match all season, only behind the 43,000 fans who showed up when Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF came to town back in July.
A repeat of the 'Messi Effect'
Walking around the stadium, one might have mistakenly thought they were wandering around the concourse of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in North London. As fans cascaded through the Gillette Stadium gates, thousands were seen wearing "Son 7" jerseys from throughout the South Korean's illustrious Spurs career – good luck finding an LAFC Son kit, as they're reportedly selling out left and right.
The sheer number of Korean fans in attendance was astounding. Thousands flocked to Foxborough for Son's first trip to the East Coast since joining MLS. Families of all ages, shapes, and sizes took in the scenery, snapping photos and admiring the usual home of one of America's most historic sporting dynasties, the New England Patriots of the National Football League.
John Baney
Speaking to a group of Korean fans from Massachusetts, they said they travelled two hours to see Son in the flesh, but that others from all across the United States were flocking to southern Massachusetts for the same reason.
"He [Son] gives us a sense of national pride," said one of the fans. "It's not often that you can see a player of his stature in person."
For many, it was their first time seeing the South Korean star in person, adding to the intense levels of excitement felt throughout the stadium. This was only amplified when LAFC took the pitch.
With the entire lower bowl filled, the roar heard inside Gillette Stadium when Son exited the tunnel resembled the roar a certain Patriots icon, now cast in bronze in front of the stadium and busy overseas with his work as owner of Birmingham City FC in the English Championship, was accustomed to a few years ago.
Fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, even aunts, uncles, and grandparents cheered on every single touch Son had on the ball. Every touch, step-over, and body feint had the crowd on the edge of their seats. The energy was palpable.
LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo on Son's fan following.
Son is the personification of South Korean culture. Revered by millions in his native country, the 33-year-old is a cultural icon and a symbol of national pride worldwide. The decision for Son to join LAFC becomes all the more clear when you factor in the over 300,000 Koreans who call the Los Angeles metro area their home, not to mention the size of the wider South Korean diaspora present in the United States.
After his move from Bayer Leverkusen to Tottenham Hotspur in 2015, South Korean reporters relocated to the United Kingdom to report on his performances — the same is true now here in 2025.
Helping LAFC hit the next level
Those sitting in the stands weren't the only ones to marvel at the quality put forth by the South Korean. Despite only arriving in Los Angeles less than two weeks ago, Son has already gained immense admiration and plaudits from his new teammates.
Canadian midfielder and ex-CF Montréal player Mathieu Choinière bagged his first goal for LAFC since joining the club on loan from Swiss side Grasshopper on August 2nd. Rounding off the final attack of the night, Son played a perfectly weighted through ball through to the Canadian, who slotted past Revs goalkeeper Matt Turner with conviction, officially opening the goal-contribution accounts for both himself and his South Korean teammate.
Following the final whistle, Choinière spoke on the impact Son's arrival has had on the squad, saying, "Every training, every MLS game that we have, he is there to win. [...] He's bringing everybody a level higher and bringing competition every single day."
LAFC's Mathieu Choinière on Son's impact.
The Canadian wasn't alone in his plaudits towards the South Korean's work ethic and desire to succeed either. American midfielder Mark Delgado, who opened the scoring with a sizzling strike from the edge of the box into the top right corner, further emphasized the impact Son has had on the chemistry and intensity put forth by the LAFC squad.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Delgado called Son "the missing piece we've been looking for," and said that the addition of Son to the squad is "going to bring everything together."
LAFC's Mark Delgado on what Son adds to the team.
It's evident that Son truly cares deeply for the success of this club, despite only joining earlier this month. The raw emotion after bagging his first assist for the club says it all.
Son with a gleeful celebration after bagging his first MLS assist for LAFC. Credit: LAFC
USMNT goalkeeper race also intensifies
Saturday night also saw goalkeeper Matt Turner make his second appearance for the Revolution since returning to the club on loan through June 2026. Returning to the league where he made his name, it sets the stage for a year-long battle for the starting role with the USMNT, though Turner didn't do himself many favors against Son's high-flying Los Angeles side.
Turner was between the sticks at Gilette Stadium for the second time since rejoining his former club on-loan from French Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyonnais in early August. After completing a permanent switch to the French-outfit from Premier League side Nottingham Forest in July, Lyon flirted with relegation to Ligue 2 due to financial sanctions imposed by the French Football Federation.
With the World Cup less than 12 months away from kicking off in the United States, Turner opted for a loan move back home to ensure regular first-team minutes as he looks to battle New York City FC shot-stopper Matt Freese for the starting USMNT job.
Though Turner's second debut for the Revolution, a 2-0 win over DC United on August 9th, served as an ideal homecoming, Saturday's contest vs LAFC saw the pendulum swing back the other way. LAFC was not particularly threatening in the first half, but managed to click into gear during the second 45, as Turner's night then took a turn for the worse.
LAFC fashioned 12 shots on the night, with six finding the target. Though Turner managed four saves, the majority were routine catches from shots towards the center of the goal and not cause for concern. The American did produce a clever save to deny Son in the dying minutes of the match, spreading his body to keep out a shot from the South Korean from close range, even getting a quick arm around the shoulder from LAFC's newest DP for his efforts.
Already an aspect of his game that's drawn criticism in recent years, Turner's distribution lacked conviction, completing just 69% of his passes and 25% of his long balls. In the face of high pressure from the LAFC front three, Turner did not exude the confidence one might expect from a goalkeeper with European pedigree like his.
Though not to blame for either of the LAFC goals scored on Saturday night, Turner will have an uphill battle to contend with if he wants to dislodge his NYCFC rival Freese from Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT Starting XI. With the latter already established as one of the premier shot stoppers in MLS, Turner will have his work cut out for him if he hopes to convince Pochettino that he's the man for the starting job come the summer of 2026.
With both top American goalkeepers now competing in the same league, the same conference, and the same geographic region, the stage is set for an intense personal battle to decide who will be the No. 1 for the United States at the World Cup.
