LA Galaxy: Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez scores five goals in six matches to open the current MLS season, picking up where he left off in 2021.
Despite the LA Galaxy failing to make the Playoffs, the former Mexico international scored 17 goals last season, finishing just two goals behind eventual Golden Boot winner Taty Castellanos.
And he’s already tied for first place with Jesus Ferreira and Brandon Vazquez this season, having been a key role for the Galaxy in victories over LAFC and the Portland Timbers.
But if anything is going to derail the Galaxy, who are second in the Western Conference after beating LAFC in El Trafico last week, it could be an overreliance on Chicharito. After all, the 33-year-five old’s goals account for 56 percent of his team’s total goals this season, and he’s the club’s only player with multiple goals.
Coach Greg Vanney, on the other hand, seems unconcerned. Chicharito’s goals have all come from inside the box, with two of them coming from within six yards. The Galaxy is creating attacks for Chicharito rather than letting him drag their offensive, and they have exceptional chance creators in Douglas Costa and Kevin Cabral who could service most strikers in MLS.
Vanney told reporters at a midweek press conference before the Galaxy’s trip to Chicago on Saturday, “He doesn’t have to construct these worldies; it would make me more anxious.” “If we had to rely on Javy to beat three players and pin something in the upper corner from 25 yards out, I’d be very concerned.”
“However, they are team goals, and he’s scoring as a result of the team’s efforts in getting the ball in wonderful positions and allowing him to make the plays he’s making.” This is a good sign for the team.”
In fact, Vanney is encouraged by the Galaxy’s in-form, vicious striker, who is shouldering the majority of the goal-scoring responsibility. All of the recent MLS success stories have involved a talismanic center-forward, from NYCFC and Castellanos to Atlanta United and Josef Martinez.
“When you look at the seasons that some of our league’s top scorers, genuine strikers, have had, you’ll notice that they tend to score close to 50 percent or 40 percent of their team’s goals, the guys who are true finishers and true strikers like Javy are. That’s where it’s at, in a nutshell, “Vanney continued.
Chicharito agreed with Vanney that his goal-scoring streak is only possible because of his teammates’ efforts to break down the opponent and generate opportunities.
“It’s merely the result and reflection of the complete team,” the former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward explained. “Because we are strikers and, of course, forwards, and we want to assist our team with as many goals as we can, but it’s only a result of all of our effort, all of our buildups, all of our training, and everything that we do.”
