Making his first start in his brief MLS career, Son Heung-Min provided a late assist to Mathieu Choiniere as visiting LAFC earned a deserved 2-0 victory over the New England Revolution on Saturday night.
Mark Delgado scored in the 51st minute to put LAFC in front in Son’s second MLS match. Son came off the bench in a 2-2 draw at Chicago last weekend.
Hugo Lloris made five stops to keep his ninth clean sheet in 22 appearances this season as LAFC (11-6-7, 40 points) snapped a three-match winless run in MLS play. His best effort arguably came in the 88th minute, when he denied Tomas Chancalay’s first-time blast from close range at his near post.
Matt Turner made a late save while scrambling across his line to deny Son his first MLS goal. But New England (7-12-7, 28 points) failed to secure its first run of consecutive victories since April 26 and May 3 and suffered its sixth home defeat since the beginning of June.
The Revs began the night eight points out of the ninth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot.
Only seconds after Son narrowly missed putting LAFC in front with a shot just outside the left post, Delgado grabbed the lead.
Following the ensuing goal kick, LAFC forced New England’s Matt Polster over deep in the Revolution’s end.
A defender was able to poke the ball away from Son at the edge of the penalty area, but it fell to an unmarked Delgado, who composed himself before beating Turner to the top-right corner.
New England rarely pressured Lloris after going behind, but one good chance arrived in the 88th minute on a cross from the right. Lloris positioned himself superbly to deny Chancalay’s finish from very close range.
Then came Son’s saved header. But he fed Choiniere on the final attack of the night, playing the ball to his left for an emphatic finish by another summer LAFC signing.
New England shaded the first half with few chances. The Revolution’s best opportunity to go in front came in the 11th minute, when Leonardo Campana’s effort from the left forced Lloris into a firm save at his near post.
–Field Level Media
