Chicharito’s American Dream at LA Galaxy Became a Nightmare

When the LA Galaxy announced the signing of Javier “Chicharito” Hernández in 2020, the hype was off the charts. The highest-paid player in Major League Soccer history had arrived, and fans were buzzing with excitement. Gritting their teeth, they envisioned goals galore, trophies stacking up, and one of Mexico’s biggest soccer stars lighting up the MLS stage. But, as we all know, life doesn’t always follow the script.

Instead of becoming the savior LA Galaxy had hoped for, Chicharito’s journey turned into an emotional rollercoaster, packed with injuries, frustrations, and, ultimately, a bitter farewell that no one saw coming. His time in MLS was anything but straightforward. Sure, he had his shining moments, but the end? Let’s just say it wasn’t the fairytale ending Galaxy fans were dreaming of.

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Right from the start, the weight of being the league’s most expensive player—and the Galaxy's captain—was crystal clear. His debut match against the Houston Dynamo ended in a draw, and his first goal didn’t come until July, against the Portland Timbers. Even then, the team lost, and Chicharito's arrival wasn’t exactly causing the shockwaves it was supposed to. Two goals in 12 games? That’s what fans were left with in his first season—a taste far more bitter than sweet for a striker with his reputation.

For someone like Chicharito, there’s not much room for mistakes. He arrived with all the fanfare, the player who was supposed to bring Galaxy back to the top. But after that underwhelming first year, warning bells were already ringing for the fans. Still, if his debut season was a bust, what followed in 2021 was nothing short of a redemption arc that could’ve come straight out of Hollywood.

In the first game of the next season, Chicharito came out swinging, scoring two goals against Inter Miami. The following week? A hat trick against the New York Red Bulls. Just like that, what seemed like a career in decline flipped on its head, turning into a story of resilience. He was back at the top, earning Player of the Month honors and reestablishing himself as the Galaxy’s top scorer. The fans’ trust was restored, and for a moment, it looked like Chicharito was destined to conquer the league. He even got called up for the All-Star Game, though a cruel injury sidelined him from the match, once again halting his momentum.

Still, by the end of that season, Chicharito racked up 17 goals in 21 games. Impressive, no doubt. He was named Galaxy’s Player of the Year, but the shadow of "almost there" lingered. The team just couldn’t turn his stellar performances into championships, and that lack of silverware began to weigh on both the club and Chicharito himself.

Fast forward to 2022, and the Mexican star was proving he still had that killer instinct. He scored the winning goal in the season opener against New York City FC and, once again, was called up to the All-Star Game, this time as captain—a badge of honor for any player. Yet, despite his 18 goals in 32 games, the Galaxy fell short. A brutal playoff loss to rivals LAFC in the Western Conference semifinals left deep scars.

What seemed like just another stumble in Chicharito’s MLS journey quickly spiraled into the beginning of the end. In 2023, during a U.S. Open Cup match against Real Salt Lake, fate dealt a harsh blow. An ACL tear—yeah, that dreaded injury that has ended so many promising careers—put a sudden stop to his season. That kind of injury is brutal, both physically and mentally. And for a 35-year-old player? It’s a near-impossible task to get back to top form.

With that injury, Chicharito’s contract with LA Galaxy came to an end. What should’ve been a shining partnership, full of victories and championships, wrapped up on a somber note. He left the club in November 2023, never having led them to the top of the MLS mountain, something the fans so desperately wanted. Sure, he had his bright moments—two Player of the Year awards, multiple All-Star selections—but, in the end, the one thing that truly mattered, the titles, never came.

It’s hard not to wonder what could’ve been. What if Chicharito had hit his stride in that first season? What if injuries hadn’t interrupted his rhythm? What if the Galaxy had built a stronger squad around him? So many “what ifs,” and the answers? We may never know. But these questions will probably linger in the minds of Galaxy fans for years.

Chicharito left his mark on MLS, no doubt about it. His goals, his leadership, and his undeniable star power were vital for Galaxy during his time there. But, at the end of the day, goals and adoration from the fans aren’t enough. It’s the trophies that speak the loudest, and for Chicharito, that was the one thing he couldn’t deliver.

Was his exit from LA Galaxy a disappointment? Was it just bad luck with injuries? Or maybe the club didn’t build a strong enough team around him? Whatever the answer, sometimes even the brightest stars get caught up in circumstances beyond their control. And in this case, the end of Chicharito’s MLS story was way more bitter than anyone could’ve ever imagined.