UPDATE (June 9): LA Galaxy striker Javier “Chicharito” Hernández suffered a torn right ACL in their midweek US Open Cup defeat at Real Salt Lake, the club announced Friday.
While he's yet to undergo knee surgery and a recovery timeline wasn't provided, the 35-year-old Mexican star likely is out for the remainder of the 2023 MLS season. He had one goal and one assist through nine league games (seven starts) this year.
With Chicharito out long-term, LA's main striker becomes Serbian international Dejan Joveljić. Any Secondary Transfer Window replacements may be limited, as the club faces sanctions where they can't add players from abroad (but can from within MLS).
The injury delivers another setback amid LA's difficult season. Heading into Matchday 18, they sit last in the Western Conference table with 12 points from 15 games (3W-9L-3D).
Chicharito, who signed with LA ahead of the 2020 campaign, has 38 goals and six assists in 74 league matches.
ORIGINAL (June 8): The LA Galaxy’s challenging 2023 season may have another hurdle to confront.
Star striker Javier “Chicharito” Hernández suffered a non-contact right-knee injury in the 24th minute of LA’s US Open Cup quarterfinal defeat Wednesday night, a 3-2 result at Real Salt Lake that ends their tournament run.
Chicharito went down when receiving a pass from Riqui Puig, falling to the ground in considerable pain. He was eventually stretchered off with a towel draped over his face as teammates offered words of encouragement.
“We don't know until we get an MRI to see where it's at, so our fingers are crossed,” head coach and sporting director Greg Vanney said postgame.
Chicharito, 35, has one goal and one assist through nine league games (seven starts) this year. He missed the club’s first five games while recovering from a hamstring injury, stumbling while trying to build off back-to-back years where he combined to score 35 goals.
Should Chicharito be out for an extended period, LA would likely lean upon Dejan Joveljić as their main striker. Preston Judd has also played up top this year.
“I fear for Javi when he gets [hurt],” Vanney said. “I have hopes and prayers that it's nothing serious, but I have concerns because the guy has had to come off the field. I always have concerns.”
LA are currently last in the Western Conference table with 12 points from 15 games (3W-9L-3D), but they have two games in hand on most teams above them. They’ll return to league action on Sunday at St. Louis CITY SC, visiting the expansion club’s emerging CITYPARK fortress (1 pm ET | MLS Season Pass, FOX).
