Son Heung-min had a goal and an assist as Los Angeles FC drew Real Salt Lake 2-2 in Sandy, Utah, on Saturday.
The performance ended a seven-game stretch without a goal contribution for Son, whose previous goal or assist came against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Aug. 1.
LAFC used a 3-4-3 formation that positioned Son and Denis Bouanga closer together in the attack. The pair combined for both of the team's goals at America First Field.
In the 14th minute, Son dropped toward midfield and sent a left-footed pass behind the defense. Bouanga ran onto the ball from the left and scored with a curling right-footed shot.
Real Salt Lake equalized through Saba Lobjanidze four minutes later, but LAFC regained the lead in the 38th. Bouanga advanced down the left and delivered a cutback to Son, who scored with a first-time left-footed shot.
The setup differed from LAFC's previous match against D.C. United, when Son and Bouanga operated farther apart on opposite wings.
LAFC coach Marc Dos Santos said the three-back formation allowed the team's three forwards to play more narrowly and combine more frequently. He added that the arrangement required the midfielders to cover additional space.
Bouanga also said the formation placed more attackers in scoring positions, although he noted the team still needed to maintain its defensive organization.
LAFC was unable to preserve its 2-1 halftime lead. Noel Caliskan scored the equalizer for Real Salt Lake in the 75th minute.
Son had an opportunity to restore the lead in the 87th after getting past the goalkeeper, but a defender blocked his shot.
Bouanga said LAFC was disappointed to leave with one point after leading twice and criticized the team's defensive approach in the second half.
LAFC has one win, five draws and two losses in its past eight matches. Dos Santos said the club must reduce the number of draws and focus on winning its next home game.
(This article was produced with the assistance of AI. — Ed.)
