Chicharito is First MLS Player of the Week, 2021

NEW YORK – LA Galaxy forward Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández was voted MLS Player of the Week for Week 1 of the 2021 season.

Hernández led the Galaxy to a 3-2 win over Inter Miami CF at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, the day after another candidate, Zachary Brault-Guillard starred for CF Montreal at the same venue.

With his club trailing 0-1 in the game, Hernandez levelled in the 62nd minute (WATCH HERE). Then after agains falling behind, Hernandez came up with a second equalizer in minute 73 ( WATCH HERE).

It’s the first MLS Player of the Week of his career and it came against the team managed by his former Manchester United team-mate Phil Neville, making his bow as an MLS head coach.

In an emotional interview on ABC Sports following the match, Hernández said: “I’m holding my tears. I suffered the loss of my grandfather, I would love him to keep watching [me] scoring goals. I’m very touched because, like I told you, last season was very difficult. I miss him so much and these goals are for him, my kids, my whole family, my friends, everyone. I maintain patience, I keep grinding and thankfully things are coming around and hopefully, like I say, I just want to be a part of an unbelievable season and lift the trophy.”

The MLS Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season through both media and fan voting in a process conducted by MLS Communications. A panel of journalists from the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) comprises 75 percent of the vote, while a Twitter fan vote represents the remaining 25 percent of voting. NASR consists of members of print, television, radio and online media.