So, if you’re looking at the history of US vs South Korea soccer, you probably noticed something weird. Usually, when the US plays a big international game at home, there’s a certain expectation of home-field advantage. But that’s not really how it went down in New Jersey recently. Honestly, watching the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) scramble to keep up with Son Heung-min felt less like a friendly and more like a wake-up call that nobody wanted to hear.
The match at Sports Illustrated Stadium on September 6, 2025, was supposed to be a celebration of sorts. Mauricio Pochettino was back on the touchline, and he was facing his old Tottenham buddy, Son. It’s kinda poetic, right? But the poetry ended about 18 minutes in when Son decided he didn't care about old friendships.
The Night the Defense Collapsed
The US lost 2-0. It wasn't just the score that hurt; it was how it looked. South Korea basically carved through the American backline like it was made of wet cardboard. Tristan Blackmon was making his debut at 29, which is a bit of a late start for international ball, and he was paired with 37-year-old Tim Ream. You’ve got a massive age gap and a massive experience gap there. Son saw it immediately. He parked himself right between them, took a ball from Lee Jae-sung, and that was that. 1-0.
Then came the second goal. It was a bit of a disaster for Matt Freese, the US keeper. Son was involved again, the ball ended up with Lee Dong-gyeong, and he backheeled it into an empty net. A backheel. In a game this close to the 2026 World Cup. It felt disrespectful, but mostly it was just effective.
The US actually had chances. Folarin Balogun came on late and forced Jo Hyeon-woo into some world-class saves. Balogun even hit the crossbar. But "almost" doesn't count for much when you're nine months out from hosting a World Cup.
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Why the US vs South Korea Soccer Record is Deceiving
If you look at the raw stats, the US and South Korea have a surprisingly thin history on the men's side. Before the 2025 blowout, they hadn't played since 2014. If we’re counting the official record, it’s now heavily leaning toward the "Taegeuk Warriors."
- 1987: South Korea wins 1-0 (President's Cup)
- 1994: A 1-1 draw in a pre-World Cup friendly
- 2002 Gold Cup: US wins 2-1
- 2002 World Cup: The famous 1-1 draw in the group stage
- 2014: US wins 2-0 (The Wondolowski brace)
- 2025: South Korea wins 2-0
That 2002 World Cup game is still the one everyone talks about. It was in Daegu, and the atmosphere was basically a wall of sound. Clint Mathis scored a banger, and then Ahn Jung-hwan equalized and did that speed-skating celebration to troll the Americans. That draw was actually huge for the US because it helped them get out of the group and eventually reach the quarter-finals.
The Women’s Side is a Totally Different Story
If the men’s side feels like a struggle, the women’s side of US vs South Korea soccer is almost total dominance by the Americans. The USWNT is basically the final boss for South Korea. As of early 2026, the US Women have never lost to South Korea. Not once.
We’re talking about a record of 13 wins, 0 losses, and 4 draws.
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Just last year, in June 2024, Emma Hayes took the reins and the USWNT cruised to a 3-0 win in St. Paul. That game was notable because Lily Yohannes, who was only 16 at the time, came on and scored. It was one of those "the future is here" moments. While the Korean women’s team has some serious talent—Ji So-yun is a legend for a reason—they haven't been able to crack the US defensive code yet.
The Son Heung-min Factor
We have to talk about Son. He’s the bridge between these two cultures now. Him signing with LAFC in August 2025 was probably the biggest MLS move since Messi. It changed the vibe of the 2025 friendly. When the game was played in New Jersey, the crowd wasn't just Americans; it was thousands of Korean-American fans wearing Son jerseys.
Pochettino actually mentioned after the game that he was "passive" in how he set up the defense. He knew Son’s tendencies better than anyone, yet his team still let Son run the show. That’s the nuance of international soccer—tactics matter, but world-class individual talent usually wins out.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think this is a "minor" rivalry. It’s not. For South Korea, beating the US—especially on US soil—is a massive statement. They’ve qualified for 11 straight World Cups. They aren't an underdog anymore. They are a disciplined, tactically superior team that relies on high-speed transitions.
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The US, meanwhile, is in this weird experimental phase. Pochettino is trying to figure out if he can trust MLS stalwarts or if he needs to go all-in on the European-based kids. The loss to South Korea showed that experience (like Tim Ream) can’t always compensate for the raw speed of a team like Korea.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re following these two teams heading into the next big tournament cycle, keep these points in mind:
- Watch the Youth Transition: The USWNT is successfully integrating teenagers like Yohannes. The USMNT is struggling to find a center-back partner for Chris Richards who isn't 35+ years old.
- The "Home" Disadvantage: Don't assume the US will have a massive crowd advantage in the World Cup if they play teams with large diaspora populations. The South Korea game was basically an away game for the US in their own backyard.
- Tactical Shifts: South Korea under Hong Myung-bo is playing much more "proactive" football. They aren't just sitting back and countering; they are pressing high and forcing mistakes from keepers like Matt Freese.
The next time these teams meet, don't look at the historical FIFA rankings. Look at the transition speed. If the US hasn't fixed the communication gaps between their midfield and their aging center-backs, the result is going to be exactly the same.
Next Steps for You
To stay ahead of the curve, you should track the minutes Tristan Blackmon and Chris Richards get together in the upcoming spring friendlies. If Pochettino keeps rotating the backline, the defensive disjointedness we saw against South Korea will likely persist. Also, keep an eye on Son Heung-min’s form with LAFC; his fitness level in MLS is clearly translating directly to his national team impact.