“빅팀 잡았다” 도스 산토스, 손흥민 70분 ‘침묵’에도 터진 미소
LAFC Beats Toluca 1-0 in Leagues Cup: Son Heung-min Held Scoreless But Team Advances
What Happened in Simple Terms
Imagine a soccer game where nothing happens for 90 minutes, then boom—a goal in the very last second. That’s exactly what happened!
LAFC (Los Angeles Football Club) played against a Mexican team called Toluca in a tournament called the Leagues Cup. The game ended 1-0 to LAFC, but the winning goal didn’t come until stoppage time (the extra minutes added at the end of the game).
The Star Player: Son Heung-min
Who Is He?
- Age: 34 years old
- Team: LAFC (Major League Soccer / MLS)
- Background: Famous South Korean captain, played for Tottenham in England for many years
How Did He Play?
| Detail | What Happened |
|---|---|
| Minutes Played | ~70 minutes (subbed off in the 68th minute) |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Recent Form | Scored in 4 straight MLS games after the World Cup |
| Leagues Cup Form | 2 games without a goal |
ELI5 Explanation: Think of Son like a superhero who’s been scoring goals like crazy lately (4 games in a row!). But in this tournament, his scoring powers took a little break. Even superheroes have off days!
How the Game Went Down
1. The Starting Lineup
LAFC lined up with their big names:
- Attack: Son Heung-min, Denis Bouanga, Martinez
- Midfield: Tillman, Schnuer, Delgado
- Defense: Cifuentes, Tapia, Long, Hollingshead
- Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris (former Tottenham captain too!)
2. First Half: Lots of Running, No Scoring
- Both teams played tight defense
- Closest chance: Schnuer hit a shot from far out—it hit the goalpost!
- Halftime score: 0-0
3. Second Half: More of the Same
- LAFC kept pushing but couldn’t break through
- Son came off in the 68th minute (replaced by Terry)
- Fans getting nervous…
4. The Magic Moment: Stoppage Time Winner!
90+ minutes → Game almost over → SEGURA SCORES!
- Ball cleared by Toluca defender with his head
- Segura grabs it outside the penalty box
- Right-footed rocket into the corner!
- Final score: LAFC 1–0 Toluca
What the Coach Said
Steve Cherundolo (LAFC Head Coach):
"Happy we created chances. Creating chances is positive. We beat a strong team today."
On Segura’s Goal:
"Helped the team. Today’s goal rewards his hard work. Great example for other players."
Translation: "We didn’t score much, but we could have. That’s good. And Segura? He earned this."
Why This Matters: The Big Picture
Leagues Cup Format (Super Simple Version)
- 18 MLS teams in the tournament
- Top 4 teams advance to the Quarterfinals (final 8)
- Teams play group stage games to earn points
LAFC’s Current Standing
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 2 |
| Wins | 2 (one in shootout vs Guadalajara, one 1-0 vs Toluca) |
| Points | 5 points |
| Position | Great shape for top 4! |
Key Takeaway: Two wins = 5 points = very close to locking in a quarterfinal spot!
What’s Next?
Upcoming Schedule
- August 13 → Leagues Cup Phase Game 3
- Goal: Win → Secure Quarterfinal spot officially
- Son’s Goal: Get back on the scoresheet!
Summary: The 5 Things You Need to Know
- LAFC won 1-0 vs Toluca in Leagues Cup
- Son Heung-min played 70 mins, no goal (snapped 4-game scoring streak)
- Segura scored in stoppage time — dramatic winner!
- LAFC now has 5 points — almost guaranteed quarterfinals
- Next game: August 13 — win and they’re in!
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q1: What is the Leagues Cup?
A: It’s a tournament where MLS (USA/Canada) teams play against Liga MX (Mexico) teams. Think of it like a "USA vs Mexico" club championship!
Q2: Why did Son Heung-min come off at 70 minutes?
A: Normal coaching decision! Coaches often sub star players around 60-75 minutes to keep them fresh for upcoming games. He wasn’t injured.
Q3: What does "stoppage time" mean?
A: Extra minutes added at the end of each half for injuries, subs, time-wasting. The referee decides how many. Segura scored in added time of the second half.
Q4: How many points does LAFC need to advance?
A: There’s no fixed number, but 5 points after 2 games is excellent. Most teams need 4-6 points from 3 games to reach top 4. One more win likely seals it.
Q5: Is Son Heung-min struggling?
A: Not at all! He scored in 4 straight MLS games before this. Two quiet games in a new tournament is normal. Even Messi has quiet games!
Final Thought: Sometimes soccer isn’t pretty. Sometimes your star doesn’t score. But a win is a win, and LAFC found a way. That’s what championship teams do!
Source: OSEN / Korea Daily | Reporter: Jung Seung-woo | Date: August 10, 2026