On August 31, 2025, just 25 days after joining LAFC, Son Heung-Min made his first home appearance. BMO Stadium turned into a festival as 22,937 fans filled the venue despite 102-degree heat. The Son Heung-Min LAFC home debut was the clear centerpiece for supporters.
By 4 p.m., more than three hours before kickoff against San Diego FC, crowds had already gathered, and the LAFC Team Store was full of Korean American fans purchasing Son Heung-Min jerseys. Gam Yoon (78) and Young-Seon Jeon (72) carried $600 worth of merchandise, including gifts for family. Jeon recalled traveling to London to see Son Heung-Min win the Golden Boot “that day” and said he even subscribed to Apple TV to follow matches. Both planned to buy season tickets next year.
Other fans arranged long detours to be part of the moment. Chang-Hyun Jang (32), returning from work with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in El Salvador, made a stop in Los Angeles only to visit the team store. From Phoenix, Mi-Jin Kim (68) and Oh-Soo Kim (68) drove five and a half hours after their daughter bought nearly $1,000 tickets as a birthday gift. “We made cheering signs too,” said Mi-Jin Kim, adding that she had watched every Son Heung-Min game in recent years. Her husband noted, “He has solid fundamentals and good character. To us, he feels like family.” Sung-Min Lee (27) flew from New York, saying Son’s arrival sparked his interest in MLS.
Outside, official supporter groups staged tailgate parties, with fans singing and raising dust clouds in the heat. The Koreatown-based Tiger Supporters Group (TSG) ran a booth from 10 a.m., selling shirts, scarves, and food. Josh Lee, the group’s communications director, said, “We don’t just cheer for soccer; we also share Koreatown culture,” explaining that proceeds fund operations and soccer clinics.
Although BMO Stadium’s official capacity is 22,000, attendance reached 22,937 after extra standing zones were added at the north gate. More than 100 reporters were present, requiring temporary seating. The Korea Daily broadcast live updates on YouTube (@Korea_Daily) and posted coverage on its website.
In the “3252” north supporters’ section, several large Taegeukgi (Korean flags) waved for the full match. Unlike the August 5, 2025 home game against Tigres UANL, when only Son Heung-Min appeared on the jumbotron, many Korean American fans were shown, while others mimicked his camera-click celebration.
The game ended in a 1–2 defeat for LAFC, but the score did not lessen the atmosphere. For fans, the significance of Son Heung-Min’s presence outweighed the result, and BMO Stadium echoed with cheers marking his historic home debut.
BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
