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Why is Son Heung-Min not playing for LAFC vs. Portland Timbers?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Pragjyoti Singh | Last updated Apr 11, 2026 7:23 PM ET

The Portland Timbers host Western Conference leaders Los Angeles FC at Providence Park, seeking to end a five-match winless streak.

Since an opening-day victory over Columbus, Portland has struggled, going 0-4-1 and conceding a conference-high 15 goals while scoring only nine during this slump.

Phil Neville’s side is also reeling from a stunning 3-2 defeat to Vancouver, a match where two goals conceded in second-half stoppage time left fans frustrated.

Son Heung-Min #7 of Los Angeles FC celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the conference semifinal between Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Los Angeles Football Club.Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images

In contrast, LAFC sits atop the Western Conference MLS table after a near-perfect start, recording five wins and one draw.

Star forward Son Heung-Min has been central to this success, providing six assists during this opening stretch.

LAFC enters the match in dominant form, following a victory over Cruz Azul in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and a 6-0 win against Orlando City.

Son scored the opening goal against Cruz Azul, breaking a 12-match drought and the rival's 8-month unbeaten defensive streak.

The 33-year-old made an immediate impact on the match with his high-energy pressing and defensive work rate, contributing to every phase of the game.

Why isn't Son Heung-Min playing against Portland Timbers?

With a Champions Cup fixture scheduled for next week, coach Marc Dos Santos has rotated his squad, resting Son for the trip to Portland.

Reports first surfaced on X from a fan noting the former Tottenham player had not traveled, which was later confirmed when the club released the official starting lineup.

The starting XI for the match are:

Hasal, Hollingshead, Tafari, Nielsen, Smoliakov, Evans, Choinere, Terry, Boyd, Ordaz, Bouanga

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The LAFC vs. Portland Timbers match on Saturday, April 11, 2026, is scheduled to kick off at 4:45 p.m. ET

The match can be watched in the USA primarily on Apple TV via MLS Season Pass and nationally on FOX. Streaming is also available through the FOX Sports app,

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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