"Despite a tense 2-1 loss to San Diego FC in his first-ever match at LAFC's BMO Stadium over the weekend, Sunday night's result felt secondary to the raucous festivities for Los Angeles' latest South Korean star, someone who represents much more than just a player on the pitch. Home to the largest Korean population outside of Korea, L.A. welcomed the iconic Asian forward as an extension of his own roots brimming with countless Son jerseys, banners that ranged in messages from "You are my SONshine" and "Welcome to Sonny LA," plus Korean flags that gave the Southern California venue a concert-like atmosphere."
""I've been to amazing stadiums and I experienced a lot, but I mean, today was very special," said Son post-game. "I feel like the fans [were] amazing. That's why I'm upset, because they deserve [more]." "I can't wait to play again at home, and it felt like really, really, home. You know, they were welcoming me.""
""It's a hometown hero," said Sam Ko, a member of LAFC's Tigers Supporters Group started by the region's Korean-American population, to ESPN ahead of the game. "He's the face of soccer in our country and in a lot of Asia ... he's our superstar." "It's a dream come true," said fellow TSG member Daniel Chung earlier in the week. "It's incredible. I never thought this would happen.""
Los Angeles hosted Son Heung-Min's first match at LAFC's BMO Stadium amid intense fanfare despite a 2-1 defeat to San Diego FC. The city's large Korean population created a concert-like atmosphere with Son jerseys, banners, Korean flags and a sold-out standing-room section. Supporters described Son as a hometown hero and a continental superstar, and members of the Tigers Supporters Group expressed pride and disbelief at his arrival. Son called the experience special, praised the fans as amazing, and said he felt welcomed and eager to play again at home.
Read at ESPN.com
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