Son vs. Messi at the LA Coliseum: Taking Our Little Sonny Fan to LAFC's Season Opener

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Son vs. Messi, and a dream come true

In our house, there is one soccer player, and his name is Sonny.

Eli has loved Son Heung-min for as long as he has known what soccer is. In September 2025, when the Korean national team came to play friendlies against the USMNT, he got to meet him and walked away with an autograph he still guards like treasure.

Elijah getting Sonny’s autograph

..and a picture with Sonny’s dad!

Since then he hasn't stopped playing. Weekends are cleats, shin guards, and a ball that never stays in the garage.

My husband is just as big a Sonny fan.

I'll be honest: I don't know much about soccer. But cheering beside the two of them has turned into one of my favorite things we do as a family.

So when LAFC's 2026 season opener landed on February 21, against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, and moved to the LA Memorial Coliseum, we didn't think twice. Son vs. Messi, live, felt like a once-in-a-lifetime night. It was.

Before kickoff: Fan Fest and the team store

Go early. A couple of hours before the match, LAFC turned the park outside the Coliseum into a full-blown Fan Fest: giant Jenga, cornhole boards with the LAFC crest, foosball tables, sponsor tents, and music. Eli was in heaven. He played every game twice, collected an armful of giveaways, and soaked up a sea of black and gold.

From there we went to the official LAFC team store. Eli left in a fresh Son #7 jersey with a new ball under his arm.

I got a jersey too. If you're going to be a soccer mom, you might as well dress the part.

Tip: Do Fan Fest and the store first, then get inside early for warm-ups (more on that below).

Watching Sonny warm up

We went in well before kickoff, and it was the best decision of the day. The stands were still mostly empty, the light was golden, and our seats were close enough to watch the players warm up. Eli also had a chance to walk right up to the railings and wait for Sonny.

When Son jogged out, Eli went completely still. He leaned on the railing, eyes locked on number 7, barely blinking. I've watched my son do a lot of things. This was one of the sweetest.

Literally his face the entire time watching Sonny

The game: LAFC 3, Inter Miami 0

By kickoff the Coliseum was full. The crowd was 75,673, the second-largest in MLS history and the biggest ever for an opening weekend. Black and gold on one side, Inter Miami pink everywhere else, and Messi jerseys from every era.

Then Sonny did Sonny things. In the 38th minute he set up David Martínez for the opener, and the whole stadium shook. Denis Bouanga made it 2–0 in the 73rd, and Nathan Ordaz added a third in stoppage time, just after Son came off to a standing ovation.

Eli didn't stop cheering all night. Afterward, he said his favorite part wasn't the goals. It was the fans: the chanting, the drums, 75,000 people caring about the same thing at the same time.

What we'd tell any family going to an LAFC game at the Coliseum

• Where we sat. Section 120A, Row 15. That's low enough to see faces and footwork during warm-ups, with just enough elevation for a kid to see over the people in front. For families, a lower-bowl row in the teens was the sweet spot.

• The bag policy is strict. The Coliseum is a clear-bag stadium: one clear bag up to 12" x 6" x 12" (or a gallon zip-top bag), plus a hand-sized clutch. No backpacks, and no water bottles. My husband brought a small Insta360 with a mini pole, and security flagged it. We checked it at the bag check near the gate, and it was waiting for us after the game. Easy fix, but leave the camera gear at the hotel.

• LA in February is cold at night. We're an East Coast family, and we packed for "Southern California." Mistake. Once the sun dropped behind the stands, it got chilly fast. We ended up wrapped in LAFC scarves, which was honestly part of the fun. Bring a real jacket for everyone and a hoodie for the kids.

• Getting there: Waymo. This was our first time in a driverless car, and Eli thought it was the coolest thing in Los Angeles, possibly cooler than the game. It dropped us close to the stadium with zero stress.

• Getting home: plan ahead. We'd planned to Uber back. With 75,000 people leaving at once, that was impossible. We walked 20 to 30 minutes away from the stadium before we could get a car. Next time we'll drive. Yes, getting out of the parking lot takes a while, but you're waiting in a warm car instead of on a sidewalk with a tired kid.

Where we stayed: Conrad Los Angeles

We based ourselves at the Conrad Los Angeles in Downtown LA, an easy ride to the Coliseum. After a cold night and a long walk, coming back to that room felt like the best kind of exhale.

Book it: Check rates at Conrad Los Angeles.

Our long weekend (Friday to Monday) also turned into something longer than planned. A massive winter storm on the East Coast cancelled every flight to New York until Wednesday, so we stayed two extra nights. If you're flying from the Northeast in February, build in a buffer day, and book a hotel you wouldn't mind being stuck at. We definitely didn't mind.

What to bring to an LAFC game with kids

Everything below fits the Coliseum's clear-bag rules or goes in a pocket.

• A stadium-approved clear bag (12" x 6" x 12")

• A hand-sized clutch or phone crossbody for the extra allowed bag

• An LAFC scarf, which is warm and a great souvenir

• A kids' Son #7 jersey

• A portable phone charger, since you'll need your phone for tickets and the ride home

• Hand warmers that slip into a pocket

Would we do it again?

In a heartbeat. Son vs. Messi will probably never happen again quite like this, but an LAFC game in LA with your kids is worth the trip any season. Go early for Fan Fest, watch warm-ups, pack a real jacket, and have a plan for getting home.

And if your little one has a Sonny of their own, take them. Watching Eli watch his hero was the best seat in the house.