CARSON, California – Tickets on demand for Saturday El Trafico may have read”LA Galaxy compare to LAFC“in bold text, but in reality most of the spectators present at the Dignity Health Sports Park were present to watch the main draw: Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez compare to Carlos Vela.
One could imagine an age-old boxing promotion pitting two Mexican superstars against each other for the first time in Major League Soccer. In a corner and dressed in white, you have the Galaxy’s Hernandez: A daring striker whose knack for finishing took him to Manchester United, Real Madrid and topped the list of all time goalscorers for Mexicoof the national team. Then, in the other corner and dressed in black, you have LAFC’s Vela: A quiet genius on the wing whose creativity and ingenuity once made him one of the most feared attackers in football. European clubs.
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After years of various factors hosting the two’s first game in the MLS, it became a reality, leading to a pre-match atmosphere that preceded the semi-final. In the midst of an exciting frenzy of barbecues, bandanas, Mexican flags and a car park pick-up game at Galaxy’s stadium, are the numerous jerseys of the two captains. With the Mexican national team’s additional kits also featuring the names of two heavyweights, one might be forgiven for thinking that a game is for El Tri has been replayed.
Shortly before the main event, local LA Galaxy supporters and visiting members of LAFC’s 3252 all began to engage in vocal exchanges with each other through songs and chants ahead of time. when starting. It was a vivid and refreshing sight Consider a game last season that saw fans brawl in the stands. LAFC fans listened to their voices, but as Hernandez sat with LA Galaxy trophies being lifted, it foreshadowed how the evening would turn out.
VAM❇️SP❇️R SEIS.@ CH14_ x @ACBxLA pic.twitter.com/nGYJs09QfL
– LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) April 10, 2022
In the 13th minute, Chicharito headed home an own goal, giving LA Galaxy an early lead. Vela immediately responded but his shot in the 23rd minute unfortunately missed the post by a few inches. After 28 minutes, the LAFC captain looked like he finally got his head on the ball, but the chance was controversially called offside. Hernandez and Galaxy pushed in the other direction, doubling the gap in the 31st minute thanks to the goal of Sega Coulibaly.
Vela and LAFC ramped up their pressure in the second half, and after the 33-year-old cut a shot towards LA Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Bonda recovery ball fell Cristian Arangowho then scored to regain one in the 79th minute. In impressive style, LAFC’s Latif Blessing found the equalizer in stoppage time before VAR finally overcame the goal. To the disappointment of the guests, the final whistle was blown shortly after, bringing the home team Win 2-1 when the home audience erupted in cheers.
Hernandez said after the game: “These matches are like that, so full of emotion, so much passion. “Thankfully we got the three points, we won the derby.
It was a breath-taking result with incredible support from the stands, and as expected, Vela and Hernandez were both in the middle of it all as captains and focal points of attack.
“Electric, man. These games are electric. These games are so intense. The last 15 minutes I’m dead. I’m dead, man. These games are so intense. And, there’s always drama. Whether you like it or not, there’s always going to be a TV series,” the Galaxy full-back said. Raheem Edwardswho also played for LAFC.
“I think we were very unlucky not to take the points tonight,” LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo said. “I think if two calls go our way, we’ll definitely get a point and maybe we’ll get three.”
While MLS and fans across the league eventually got to see the two go head-to-head, and as usual whenever Vela or Hernandez shines, supporters of the Mexican national team then was wondering why they were absent El Tri rest.
Feedback pic.twitter.com/eG926u2tti
– LAFC (@LAFC) April 9, 2022
The odd thing about the mood and atmosphere on par with a match in Mexico is that neither Hernandez or Vela are likely to participate if so. As for Vela, he has said that the door to the national team is closed, essentially setting himself up for retirement from the international scene. For Hernandez, it is more complicated than for a player who is still open. Chicharito has won the latest version of the MLS showdown and put the Galaxy on track to get back into the title race, but there’s no denying that there is a path back to his place in the structure. The structure of the Mexican national team is still confusing.
His details El Tri The absence since late 2019 remains murky, with many whispers and rumors pointing to still unresolved behind-the-scenes issues with the striker and those within the FMF and the national team. And yet, with Hernandez now having 5 goals in his first 6 MLS games, and the entire Mexican national team scoring just 4 goals in the last 5 World Cup qualifiers, it looks like Hernandez’s return would be an easy solution. for attack.
Perhaps even in the stands at the Estadio Azteca during the tense qualifiers, which ultimately felt flat and dull during matches open to the public, there could have been a change in atmosphere if someone like Chicharito or even Vela was somehow included. There are several factors here at play here as to why the historic site of Mexico City is not as scary or vibrant as it once was, but in a World Cup year comes the ultimate invitation to the tournament for men’s national team, it’s strange to think that a very important qualifier last month against USA in Estadio Azteca isn’t nearly as animated or entertaining as a regular MLS season game 1,800 miles north.
Sadly, the first meeting between Vela and Chicharito in the MLS may be the last. Vela’s contract expires at the end of June between the 2022 MLS season and while there are supposedly conversations going on For both sides, nothing has been completed.
It is clear that the two will not share the yard again with El Tri, but for MLS, we may never get a showdown between Mexico’s all-time top goalscorer and arguably Mexico’s most talented player.
Until then, El Trafico bragging rights run through Carson and belong to Chicharito and LA Galaxy.
