Son Heung-min Joins MLS with Impact

Since Son Heung-min made his move to Major League Soccer, the league has gained another player who’s considered a prime-age talent, which is a refreshing change. MLS has faced a lot of criticism in the past for having too many veteran players just looking to cash in their last paychecks. Sure, there are still some older stars around, like Wilfried Zaha in Charlotte and Thomas Muller in Vancouver, but overall, the focus seems to be shifting more towards grassroots development. Investments in youth academies are starting to show results in the rosters of the league’s 30 clubs.

And, of course, we can’t overlook Lionel Messi. While he is aging—at 38 years old—he’s still managing to make waves by averaging over a goal per game and recently scooping up the Golden Boot for being the top scorer in MLS. He finished with a league-high of 29 goals, and even notched his third hat trick of the season in Inter Miami’s last regular-season match.

So, that puts a different spin on things, doesn’t it?

This week, MLS rolled out its annual awards, and Son was recognized with the MLS Goal of the Year accolade. Given his skillset, one might expect him to win for a spectacular goal that secured a thrilling win for Los Angeles Football Club. But in a twist, it was actually a free kick that earned him the honor. He curved a shot over the wall from just outside the box, guiding it into the side netting near the post. It’s a classic goal—something fans have likely seen countless times. Despite being his first in MLS, it garnered enough votes to be named Goal of the Year by both the league and the fans.

Interestingly, this notable goal came during a 1-1 draw with FC Dallas, which was ultimately settled by this free kick, rather than some grand display of heroics. Just a straightforward kick to secure a point on the road.

Now, what’s truly remarkable here is that Son played only 10 games for LAFC, scoring nine goals and assisting on three others. That kind of scoring rate is, well, almost unbelievable. Yet, despite his stellar performance, there’s no award for Player of the Year or Clutch Player of the Year—if those existed, they would certainly amplify his contributions.

So, what’s the focus for this year? It’s a tricky sell.

Why highlight Son? Ultimately, it’s because he represents the kind of player that MLS wants to attract. Having big names in the league is crucial for its growth. Even at 38, Messi continues to be a significant draw for MLS. This is why the match-ups between LAFC and Miami still get considerable airtime, despite Apple’s claims of dominating media coverage.

Perhaps MLS views it as crucial to grow the sport by shining a light on its stars who have made notable contributions. It’s an admirable goal, but I can’t shake off the feeling that awarding a somewhat routine goal might not be the best strategy.