MLS
Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez sent off in third consecutive LA Galaxy loss
The Mexican striker was dismissed late on for a dangerous challenge on Charlotte midfielder Derrick Jones.
LA Galaxy’s torrid 2023 season took another downward turn on Sunday with a defeat to Charlotte, the team’s third consecutive MLS loss without scoring a single goal.
The visitors broke the deadlock midway through the second half when Karol Swiderski ghosted into the Galaxy box at a corner kick, nodding home from close range. That goal was met with boos from the home crowd but things would get worse for the team before the full time whistle.
With just five minutes remaining Galaxy captain Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez was sent off for a second bookable offence after a dangerous lunge on Charlotte midfielder Derrick Jones. The Mexican forward has scored just once in nine appearances this season and will now miss Wednesday’s game against fellow strugglers Real Salt Lake.
“We have to do things differently to get out of this”, Hernandez said after a home defeat to Colorado Rapids earlier this month. “I don’t know what, but we have to work it out. We can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results. It’s very frustrating, I don’t know what else to say.”
LA Galaxy are currently rock bottom of the Western Conference with nine points from 14 games, by far the lowest point total of any MLS team this year.
Supporters confront Galaxy staff
The final whistle at the Dignity Health Sports Park brought boos from the home crowd and chants of ‘We want better’ from the Angel City Brigade.
A number of players went over to the most vocal parks of the Galaxy support and head coach/sporting director Greg Vanney spoke with members of the disillusioned fanbase.
“It was a cordial conversation, to be fair,” Vanney said of the exchange. “They expect more. They want more from the group.”
“We don’t need to go into specifics. Yes, we need to improve upon our performance today and secure the result. They want the same thing. It wasn’t heated or anything that was more. Again, we’re all on the same team. We’re all trying to achieve those things.”
After the game Galaxy midfielder Mark Delgado referenced the boos heard in the stadium on Sunday, taking responsibility for the poor performances this campaign.
“Obviously the results haven’t been going our way so we’re going to continue hearing it and I’m not here to say that they’re wrong. They’re right,” he said.