US OPEN CUP
Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández injured: how long is he out?
LA Galaxy’s Mexican striker was substituted during the US Open Cup game against Real Salt Lake and concerns are raised about his return date.
In Wednesday evening’s quarterfinal of the 2023 US Open Cup, Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández’s LA Galaxy needed to secure a victory against Real Salt Lake in order to advance to the semifinals of the tournament. Regrettably, the Mexican striker’s game came to an abrupt end after just 27 minutes due to what appeared to be a serious injury.
Chicharito out for LA Galaxy
Wearing the number 14 jersey, Hernández received the ball deep in opposition’s territory from Riqui Puig. As he stretched to control it he was clearly hurt. He immediately fell to the ground and signalled that he required medical attention, as nearby opposition players checked on him. Following an on-field assessment Chicharito was then carried off on a stretcher.
As he was taken away from the America First Field in Real Salt Lake, the Mexican was consoled by teammates, and he was visibly upset as he shook he head and covered it in a towel. With the team 5-10-3, and now out of the US Open Cup after this game ended 3-2 (Galaxy scoring two late goals after being three down early in the second half) losing their star striker is hardly what they needed.
Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said that he had “hopes and prayers that it’s nothing serious. But I have concerns because the guy had to come off the field. We won’t know until we get an MRI to see where it’s at. So our fingers are crossed. But we don’t know yet what we’re dealing with.”
Hernández will check in with team doctors after returning to Los Angeles and from that assessment we’ll have a better picture of how long the Mexican will be out for.