Photos courtesy of the LA Galaxy.
Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez was again the man for the LA Galaxy against LAFC on Saturday evening.
One thing you can always count on in the El Trafico derby; the stars will always show up for either side.
This time, it was Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez who put his first stamp on Los Angeles’ young-but-already-fierce crosstown rivalry. Chicharito started off the 2021 edition of El Trafico with his sixth goal of the season, then provided the pass that enabled Jonathan Dos Santos to score the goal that rescued the three points for the Galaxy courtesy of the 2-1 win over LAFC at Dignity Health Sports Park.
“It was a tough game,” said LAFC defender Tristan Blackmon. “We feel we should be better, we controlled the tempo in the first half, we had chances going into the second half, but just not good enough in the final moment.”
Chicharito got things going in the 11th minute. Dos Santos crossed into the penalty area, LAFC defender Jesus David Murillo headed the ball out of the box to teammate Jose Cifuentes, who took a forward touch and looked poised to ignite a LAFC break. The Galaxy’s Derrick Williams stopped the break by sliding to send the ball back the Galaxy’s way, where it found the foot of Chicharito, who kept himself onside by a mere inches. Chicharito, already inside the penalty area, took a quick touch, gathered himself and shot the ball past keeper Pablo Sisniega far post.
The Galaxy took the lead into halftime, though LAFC was buzzing around the Galaxy net towards the end of the half. LAFC eventually caught the Galaxy in the 62dn minute, as Diego Rossi played a ball to Latiff Blessing, who then played a ball to Baird in the box , whose touch sprung Rossi, who touched a ball forward, then fired the shot off keeper Jonathan Bond and into the back net to level the match.
Photo courtesy of LAFC.
Diego Rossi, left, came through for LAFC with Corey Baird, right, providing the helper.
The Galaxy however grabbed the lead back due to some persistence, which Cameron Dunbar showed when he eventually forced Murillo to turn the ball over deep in LAFC territory near the end line. Dunbar crossed into the penalty area to Chicharito, who drew the LAFC defense towards him, but Chicharito managed to pass out of the pressure, Ethan Zubak chased down the ball, but he slowed down to allow Dos Santos to charge in and fire a right-footed shot that beat Sisniega near post to put the Galaxy back in front for good. A scenario that was probably forecasted by both players before the match even began.
“I swear, that before the game Chicharito said that he was going to pass me the ball so I can score a goal and it ended up happening,” Dos Santos said. “Chicharito is playing at top level and I’m grateful for the assist.”
“I told him that probably I was going to assist him,” Chicharito said. “I don’t want to sound like a very Nostradamus thing, but I’ve been telling this a lot to Jonathan [dos Santos], and I want to make this public because Jona is one of the best players in MLS. That’s why LA Galaxy bet on him when they signed him.”
The Galaxy look to keep going next Saturday, as they get their first look at Austin FC. LAFC meanwhile tries to right the ship on Sunday as they travel to Seattle to face the Sounders.
