New York : Son Heung-min scored a goal and assisted another as South Korea defeated the United States 2-0 in an international football friendly at Harrison, New Jersey, home of MLS side New York Red Bulls.
The match featured two teams preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with South Korea taking the lead early. Son opened the scoring in the 18th minute. Staying just onside, he received a pass from Lee Jae-sung, rushed toward the goal, and fired a left-footed shot past US goalkeeper Matt Freese.
South Korea doubled its lead in the 43rd minute. Son executed a quick give-and-go play, received the return pass inside the penalty area, and flicked the ball to Lee Dong-gyeong. Lee back-heeled the ball into the net, giving South Korea a 2-0 advantage at halftime.
The game reunited Son with former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino, who coaches the USMNT. Despite welcoming back Christian Pulisic after their 2-1 Gold Cup loss to Mexico in July, the US team struggled to find rhythm against South Korea’s disciplined performance.
Son recently joined Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles FC, energizing Korean football fans in the United States. He left the field in the 63rd minute, replaced by Oh Hyeon-gyu, while both teams rotated players to test tactics.
South Korea’s goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo preserved the clean sheet with crucial saves, including denying Folarin Balogun in stoppage time and stopping a close-range attempt by Richards earlier in the game.
Looking ahead, South Korea will face Mexico on Tuesday, while the United States will take on Japan. In another friendly, Japan played a goalless draw against Mexico, which ended with a red card for Cesar Montes.
The friendly allowed both teams to assess player form, sharpen tactics, and build cohesion ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Son Heung-min’s performance highlighted his vision, agility, and finishing skills, reaffirming his status as one of Asia’s top football talents.
Analysts praised his ability to create and convert chances under pressure. The USMNT will aim to regroup and strengthen its attacking lineup before the next round of international fixtures. Fans left the stadium impressed by South Korea’s organized play and Son’s decisive impact on the game.
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