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Why Is Son Heung-Min Not Playing Tonight for LAFC vs Austin FC?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated Oct 12, 2025 5:52 PM ET

Key Points

LAFC targets top Western Conference spot with two MLS games remaining.
LAFC maintains strong form despite the absence of key players.
Key players like Son Heung-Min will not play for LAFC tonight.

LAFC is aiming to potentially top the Western Conference as they have two regular MLS games left. LAFC's next match will be against Austin FC at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas.

LAFC is one of the best teams in the MLS over the last few weeks, after the team has won their last six games. The team is 3rd in the Western Conference with 59 points and four points behind the first-place team, the Vancouver Whitecaps.

LAFC kept their first-place dream alive mid-week against Toronto FC as LAFC beat them 2-0 at BMO Stadium. What LAFC fans were impressed with is that the team continued to win even without Son Heung-Min, who is already one of the top players in the MLS.

Son Heung-Min last played for LAFC last weekend in a 1-0 win over Atlanta United at BMO Stadium. Son missed the game against Toronto FC mid-week, and he will not take part in the match against Austin FC tonight.

Son Heung-Min is currently on international duty with the South Korean national team. South Korea qualified for the 2026 World Cup, and in this international break, South Korea is playing two friendly matches.

Son played for South Korea against Brazil a few days ago, where the Brazilians defeated them 5-0. The LAFC star played 63 minutes against Brazil and is expected to play against Paraguay on Tuesday.

LAFC will be without Denis Bouanga

Along with Son Heung-Min, Denis Bouanga will also miss the LAFC game against Austin FC tonight. LAFC's top goalscorer this season is also on international duty and is playing with the Gabon national team.

Gabon is playing in the AFCON World Cup qualifiers, and Bouanga played 75 minutes for Gabon against Gambia, where his team won 4-3. Bouanga provided an assist for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, which was Gabon's first goal of the match.

Bouanga and Gabon will play their last World Cup qualifier match on Tuesday against Burundi. Gabon is only one point behind the Ivory Coast in their group.

If Gabon wins their next game and the Ivory Coast does not, they will qualify directly to the 2026 World Cup, which would be the first time the country has ever qualified for a World Cup.

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

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