Puebla: Son Heung-min and Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) are on the verge of advancing to the semifinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup, as they prepare to face Cruz Azul in the pivotal second leg of the quarterfinals. The match is set to take place at Estadio Cuauhtemoc in Puebla, Mexico, with a kickoff time scheduled for 9 p.m. Tuesday (local time). According to Yonhap News Agency, LAFC holds a commanding position after a decisive 3-0 victory in the first leg, marking a historic win as the first U.S.-based club to defeat a defending champion in the tournament's 64-year history. Son Heung-min, who scored his first open-play goal of the season in that match, made headlines with his "blah blah" gesture aimed at his critics. Before this, Son had been limited to just one penalty goal for the entire season and had not scored in recent international friendlies for South Korea. LAFC recently faced their first setback of the 2026 MLS season, losing 2-1 to the Portland Timbers. Son and several veteran players were rested in that match, ensuring they are well-prepared for the crucial encounter against Cruz Azul. Even a draw in Puebla would secure LAFC's passage to the semifinals, bringing Son closer to his first trophy with the club since joining in August of last year. The club is in a favorable position, as they can still advance with a narrow loss, thanks to the away goals rule. LAFC's consistent scoring streak in away matches, which ties the longest in the Concacaf Champions Cup by an MLS club since 2008, bolsters their confidence heading into the match. The scenario remains tense, as Cruz Azul could force extra time with a 3-0 win at home, reminiscent of other MLS clubs' struggles in the second legs on Mexican soil during this year's tournament. San Diego FC and FC Cincinnati both experienced dramatic reversals in their respective round of 16 clashes against Mexican teams. This season's Concacaf Champions Cup started with 27 teams from across North and Central America, with the U.S. and Mexico each having four r epresentatives in the quarterfinals, underscoring the competitive nature of the tournament.
