Major League Soccer (MLS) is drawing attention as five Korean players, including Son Heung-min, are competing across the league this season, the highest number in MLS history. With Son’s arrival, fans are anticipating the possibility of a “Korean Derby” in future matches.
According to MLS, the current Korean players are Kim Kee-Hee (Seattle Sounders, defender), Kim Joon-Hong (D.C. United, goalkeeper), Jung Ho-Yeon (Minnesota United, midfielder), and Jeong Sang-Bin (St. Louis City, forward). Including Son, a total of five Korean players are active in MLS, forming what has been described as a full “K-line” from the back line to the attack.
This marks the first time in MLS history that five Korean nationals are playing in a single season. In contrast, during the 2019 season only Kim Kee-Hee and Hwang In-beom were on MLS rosters, while most years had one or no Korean players at all.
Two of the newcomers, Kim Joon-Hong (22) and Jung Ho-Yeon (24), joined the league this year alongside Son.
At D.C. United, Kim Joon-Hong has played every minute of his first eight MLS matches as starting goalkeeper. He showcased his skills in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 in May, leading his team to a dramatic penalty shootout win after a 3-3 draw in extra time.
In defense, veteran Kim Kee-Hee brings experience. He was the first Korean player to win an MLS Cup in 2019 with the Seattle Sounders. After returning to the K League with Ulsan, where he helped secure three consecutive championships and earned a Best XI selection, Kim returned to Seattle after six years. Since his return, he has started eight of 12 matches and maintained a 90% pass completion rate, continuing to anchor the team’s buildup play.
In Minnesota’s midfield, Jung Ho-Yeon, known as a creative playmaker, made the jump to MLS after winning the K League Young Player Award in 2023. Although his debut season was cut short by injury, his long-term contract through 2027 signals the club’s intention to make him a core part of its midfield.
Up front, Jeong Sang-Bin has been making his mark as a striker for St. Louis City. After scoring multiple braces for Minnesota in 2023—the first Korean player to do so—he transferred to St. Louis, where he scored in his debut and started two consecutive matches. He has quickly become one of the team’s key attacking options.
A notable highlight ahead is the scheduled matchup between Jeong Sang-Bin and Son Heung-min. St. Louis City will host LAFC on July 27, setting up what could be Son’s first MLS Korean Derby if both players take the field.
Son is the ninth Korean player to compete in MLS since the league’s inception. The first was Hong Myung-bo with LA Galaxy in 2003, followed by others including Lee Young-pyo (Vancouver Whitecaps, 2012–2013) and Hwang In-beom (Vancouver Whitecaps, 2019–2020). Before Son’s arrival at LAFC, Kim Moon-hwan also played briefly for the club from 2021 to 2022.
BY YOONJAE JUNG [jung.yoonjae@koreadaily.com]
