LOS ANGELES, Aug 18 (Reuters) — Son Heung-min did not start for LAFC on Tuesday night.
The marquee signing was on the bench. The stadium was full. The fans had come to see him.
Coach Steve Cherundolo called it “load management.” A congested fixture list. A grueling travel schedule. The club said it was managing minutes. The fans called it something else: a betrayal.
This is the story of one benching. And what it reveals about the league’s biggest problem.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Why was Son Heung-min benched for LAFC?
- A: Coach Steve Cherundolo cited load management, including a congested fixture list and grueling travel, to manage Son’s minutes and prevent injury.
- Q: How did fans react to Son Heung-min’s benching?
- A: Fans expressed outrage, calling it a ‘betrayal,’ as many had come specifically to see the marquee signing play.
- Q: What does this benching reveal about MLS?
- A: It highlights a hidden crisis: balancing player health with fan expectations, as load management risks diminishing the league’s biggest draws and commercial appeal.