LAFC played the Vancouver Whitecaps to a 1-1 draw on Saturday night at BC Place in Vancouver.
LAFC’s Son Heung-Min opened the scoring in the 37th minute, finishing an assist from Denis Bouanga with a shot from the top of the area that marked Son’s fourth goal in four games since the World Cup break.
The Whitecaps controlled most of the opening half, but Son Heung-min’s goal gave LAFC the lead at halftime.
Son spun and sent a shot into the short side of the net past the outstretched fingers of goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka to open the scoring. Son celebrated with a large Korean contingent in the crowd.
Vancouver’s Thomas Müller equalized from the penalty spot in the 76th minute after LAFC’s Yevhen Cheberko was whistled for a foul in the area.
The Whitecaps (10-3-4) and LAFC (10-5-4) remain tied in the Western Conference, and overtook San Jose for first place, with 34 points apiece.
A crowd of 40,086 watched the Whitecaps play their first game at BC Place Stadium since April 25th. The Whitecaps were forced on the road while the stadium hosted seven FIFA World Cup matches.
A Son free kick in the final minute of stoppage time (90’+5) was blocked by the Whitecaps’ wall, with Son’s second try sailing high and wide of goal, sealing the draw and shared points.
LAFC returns to BMO Stadium on Wednesday when it hosts Liga MX’s Chivas de Guadalajara in both clubs’ opening match in Leagues Cup at 7:30 p.m.