Party Crashed: San Diego Stun LAFC on Son’s Home Debut

Saturday night at BMO Stadium was supposed to be a celebration. A sold-out crowd roared for Son Heung-min’s long-awaited home debut, and Denis Bouanga gave them reason to erupt early. But by the final whistle, it was San Diego FC who walked out with the points, grinding out a 2–1 win to stay top of the West.

Bouanga opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a delicate chip over the keeper, finishing off a perfect cross inside the box. The stadium shook as the 3252 turned up the volume, sensing a big night ahead.

That momentum didn’t last. Just past the half-hour mark, Hirving Lozano slipped behind the defense and slotted a cool finish past Hugo Lloris to level the match at 1–1. The rest of the half evened out, both sides trading possession and half-chances before heading into the break.

San Diego’s breakthrough came in the 66th. Anders Dreyer produced a moment of class, cutting inside with a slick step-over before firing past Lloris for the go-ahead strike.

LAFC pushed furiously in response. Son rattled the post in the 78th minute and forced CJ Dos Santos into a pair of late saves, while Bouanga and Mathieu Choinière both went close in the dying moments. The final stretch had BMO on edge, but San Diego’s defense held firm through nine minutes of stoppage time.

For LAFC, it was a night of near misses and what-ifs. Bouanga stayed dangerous, Son nearly delivered a debut goal, and the atmosphere lived up to the billing. But San Diego’s poise on the ball and finishing touch proved decisive.

Next up, LAFC hit the road to face the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, September 13 at 5:30 p.m. PT.

Son Heung-Min in his home debut