SJ Earthquakes' Javier 'Chofis' López struggled to adapt to MLS
The former Chivas playmaker arrived at San Jose Earthquakes for the 2021 MLS season and struggled to adapt to the league in his first games.
Javier ‘Chofis’ López was considered to be the next big star in Mexican football, but he failed to find consistency with Chivas and had to make a change to re-energize his career. The 26-year-old arrived at San Jose Earthquakes for the 2021 Major League Soccer season and has talked about his struggles in the first games of the campaign.
Two goals in nine games
“Coming to MLS was the change I needed. Personally, I have felt a lot of tranquility with the San Jose Earthquakes. I have been working hard, but at first I struggled a little bit. The first few days were very hard for me, because I was separated from Chivas and I didn’t play a lot in the second semester of 2020,” said López during an interview with TUDN.
“Right now I feel very good, in great shape and the manager Matías Almeyda has given me the confidence I was lacking in Chivas. At first he [Almeyda] even told me I was going to struggle in the beginning, but he has been able to get the best out of me on the field,” he added.
López has not missed a game so far this season and has scored two goals in nine appearances. ‘La Chofis’ has been included in the starting XI in eight matches and was only substituted in once.
San Jose currently sit in eighth place in the MLS Western Conference, with 10 points. They suffered a tough loss away to Orlando City during week nine, but have to turn the page quickly because they will host the LA Galaxy on Saturday in another edition of the ‘Cali Clásico.’