Son Heung-min's Assist Not Enough as LAFC Loses Third Straight

By Yoo Jee-ho

SEOUL, May 18 (Yonhap) -- Son Heung-min picked up his league-leading ninth assist of the season, though it wasn't enough to stop a three-match losing streak for his Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC).

Son assisted LAFC's second goal in their 3-2 loss to Nashville SC at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee, on Sunday (local time).

With LAFC down 3-1, Son found Denis Bouanga with a corner in the 68th minute for his ninth helper of the season. But LAFC couldn't find the back of the net again and suffered their third straight loss in Major League Soccer (MLS).

Son leads all MLS players with nine assists and has 16 dimes in all competitions this season.

The longtime South Korean national team captain was named to his fourth FIFA World Cup squad on Saturday. The 33-year-old has yet to score in MLS this season, leading to concerns that his best days are behind him and he won't be able to contribute much offensively at the World Cup.

South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo claimed Saturday he wasn't worried about Son's seasonlong goalless drought, noting that Son plays more of a facilitator role for LAFC and he will be put in a position to score more goals for the national team.

Hong and a few players selected for the 26-man squad are scheduled to depart South Korea for Salt Lake City, Utah, later Monday to set up pre-World Cup training camp. Son will play one more MLS match at home against Seattle Sounders FC next week before hopping over to Utah.