The average American’s soccer knowledge was on full display during the introduction of Tottenham legend and South Korean icon Son Heung-min to LAFC on Wednesday.
That’s because someone asked Son if he’d help the United States in the World Cup next summer. Yes, you read that right. SOUTH KOREAN soccer player Son was asked if he’d help the UNITED STATES in the 2026 World Cup.
It’s fair to say the average person isn’t aware of the difference between club and international play.
Son USA World Cup question
Los Angeles Councilmember Heather Hutt (10th District), whose area includes Koreatown, committed the ultimate faux pas: she told Son Heung-Min, “No pressure, when the World Cup comes, we’re expecting a win here in Los Angeles… for the USA.”
— José Roberto Nuñez (@JoserNunez91) August 6, 2025
We’re not sure what’s worse. The fact that Son was asked to help the U.S. win the World Cup, or the fact that THIS ISN’T THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED.
Germany legend Bastian Schweinsteiger joined the Chicago Fire in 2017 and also received a question about him helping the USMNT bring home a World Cup.
Remember when Bastian Schweinsteiger was asked if he could help the Chicago Fire win the World Cup? pic.twitter.com/SKLZCBjNyU
— Tactical Manager (@ManagerTactical) April 8, 2024
Here we are eight years later and once again a massive player has come to Major League Soccer and the first thing we do is embarrass ourselves.
The clip of Son being asked about the World Cup has already gone viral with European fans pointing and laughing at American soccer.
Our only hope is that Los Angeles Councilmember Heather Hutt is actually part of a top-secret plot to get Son to switch his nationality before next summer. There will be some serious legal hoops to jump through in order to make that happen, but at this point the USMNT need all the help they can get.
