Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez scores a hat trick as Galaxy wins home opener
April 26, 2021 3:04 AM — Posted by signsanaheim — Posted at business signage ,irvine sign company-
Los Angeles Galaxy forward Javier Hernandez (14) reacts after scoring a goal against the New York Red Bulls during the fist half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Sunday, April 25, 2021. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
-
Los Angeles Galaxy forward Javier Hernandez (14) reacts with teammates after scoring a goal against the New York Red Bulls during the first half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Sunday, April 25, 2021. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
-
Los Angeles Galaxy forward Javier Hernandez (14) winds up for a kick against the New York Red Bulls during the first half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Sunday, April 25, 2021.(Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
-
Los Angeles Galaxy forward Javier Hernandez (14) is surrounded by teammates after scoring a goal against the New York Red Bulls during the first half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Sunday, April 25, 2021. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
-
Los Angeles Galaxy forward Javier Hernandez (14) is jumped from behind by treammate midfielder Samuel Grandsir (11) during the second half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, , Sunday, April 25, 2021.(Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
-
Los Angeles Galaxy forward Nick DePuy (20) headers the ball against New York Red Bulls forward Fabio (9) during the first half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Sunday, April 25, 2021.(Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
-
Los Angeles Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Bond (1) make a save against the New York Red Bulls during the first half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Sunday, April 25, 2021. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
-
Los Angeles Galaxy forward Javier Hernandez (14) looks to recover the ball against New York Red Bulls defender Andrew Gutman (5) during the first half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Sunday, April 25, 2021.(Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
-
Los Angeles Galaxy forward Javier Hernandez (14) looks to recover the ball against New York Red Bulls defender Andrew Gutman (5) during the fist half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Sunday, April 25, 2021.(Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
-
Los Angeles Galaxy forward Javier Hernandez (14) is surrounded by teammates after scoring a goal against the New York Red Bulls during the fist half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Sunday, April 25, 2021. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
-
Los Angeles Galaxy forward Javier Hernandez (14) reacts after scoring a goal against the New York Red Bulls during the first half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Sunday, April 25, 2021. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
-
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Jonathan dos Santos (8) fights for the ball against New York Red Bulls midfielder Cristian Casseres Jr (23) during the first half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Sunday, April 25, 2021.(Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
-
Los Angeles Galaxy forward Javier Hernandez (14) winds up for a kick against the New York Red Bulls during the fist half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Sunday, April 25, 2021.(Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
-
Los Angeles Galaxy forward Javier Hernandez (14) reacts with teammates after scoring a goal against the New York Red Bulls during the fist half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Sunday, April 25, 2021. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
-
Los Angeles Galaxy forward Nick DePuy (20) headers the ball against New York Red Bulls forward Fabio (9) during the fist half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Sunday, April 25, 2021.(Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
-
Los Angeles Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Bond (1) make a save against the New York Red Bulls during the fist half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Sunday, April 25, 2021. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
-
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Jonathan dos Santos (8) fights for the ball against New York Red Bulls midfielder Cristian Casseres Jr (23) during the fist half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Sunday, April 25, 2021.(Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
CARSON The rebirth of Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez continued Sunday and for the first time in more than a year, Galaxy supporters were able to witness it in Dignity Health Sports Park.
The Galaxy was playing in front of a home crowd for the first time since last season’s home opener in March.
The 6,853 in attendance witnessed Hernandez score his fourth career hat trick, his first in Major League Soccer, and the team survive some nervous, chaotic late-game moments to eventually prevail 3-2 against the New York Red Bulls.
As he walked off the field for a substitute in the 78th minute, Hernandez was given a standing ovation.
“Like I said against Miami, this is just a reminder of how hard we’ve been working as a group,” Hernandez said. “I don’t take all of the credit.”
The win puts the Galaxy (2-0, six points) in first place in the Western Conference after the first two weeks. This is the first time since 2010 that the Galaxy has won its first two games of the season.
“He put in a great shift,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said of Hernandez. “What we needed to do today was get him in front of the goal and give him opportunities because it wasn’t about possession, we were scrapping through a lot of that game, so it was about his opportunities and he took them well, like the goal scorer that he is.”
Hernandez scored two goals last season. He tied that total with a pair in last week’s season opener against Inter Miami, a 3-2 Galaxy win.
Sunday, he didn’t wait long to get things going as he opened the scoring the ninth minute and after the Red Bulls tied the game (Andrew Gutman, 26th minute) he was back with his second goal (41st minute) to send the Galaxy into halftime with a 2-1 lead.
Hernandez completed his hat trick in the 60th minute for a 3-1 lead, thanks to an attitude that never keeps him out of a play.
“I’m just trying to put myself in position where I feel the goal could come,” Hernandez said. “I’m trying to put myself in the most accurate position probably when I think the ball will come and I can score goals or at least move where I can create space and someone else can get to that space and create something.”
That was evident on his final goal. Galaxy defender Julian Araujo whipped in a cross from the right wing. The ball was intended for Victor Vazquez, who was making a late run through the center of the Red Bulls’ defense, but as he was sliding toward the ball, it bounced up and toward Hernandez’s direction and he side-volleyed it in for the goal.
“He was clever about his movements throughout the day,” Vanney said of Hernandez. “Again it was a day of opportunistic actions, more than it was anything else, and he gave us a good shift.”
The joy didn’t last long, however, as the Red Bulls’ Cristian Casseres scored two minutes later, setting the stage for a wild final nearly 40 minutes.
As the clock approached 90:00, all eyes turned to the fourth official awaiting the number he would put up for additional time. An audible gasp went throughout the stadium as he signaled 10 minutes.
That additional 10, actually ended up being closer to 12, but the end result was what the Galaxy wanted.
“We would have liked to have the ball more and play through it more,” Vanney said. “It wasn’t always perfect, but at the end of the day, you do what you got to do to get (three) points.”
It also doesn’t hurt to have a focused and motivated Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez.
The Galaxy will be back, next Sunday on the road at the Seattle Sounders.
from Irvine Business Signs https://ift.tt/3eqc6Pe
via Irvine Sign Company
