Son Heung-min nets first MLS hat trick as LAFC rolls past Real Salt Lake 4-1

Son Heung-min delivered his first hat trick in MLS, capping it with a sliding finish in the 82nd minute, as Los Angeles FC cruised to a 4-1 win over Real Salt Lake on Wednesday night.

LAFC (13-7-8) stayed hot after a 4-2 win over San Jose last weekend, when Denis Bouanga bagged a hat trick of his own and Heung-min scored in the opening minute.

Salt Lake (10-15-4) has now dropped four of its last five.

Heung-min, who joined LAFC from the Premier League just a month ago, struck early. He broke free in the third minute for the opener, then doubled the lead in the 16th when he was left alone in midfield and unleashed a long-range strike. His third came on a 2-on-1 breakaway with Bouanga, leaving him a simple tap-in for a 3-1 cushion.

Bouanga added the fourth goal six minutes later on yet another counterattack, passing Carlos Vela for the most goals in LAFC history with 94.

RSL had a chance to get back in it just before halftime, but Rwan Cruz’s penalty caromed off the right post and rolled across the goalmouth to goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who had dived the other way. Teenager Zavier Gozo finally put Salt Lake on the board in the 76th with a highlight-reel bicycle kick.