LA Galaxy confirm major Javier Hernandez injury blow

LA Galaxy captain Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez will miss the rest of the Major League Soccer season with a torn ligament in his right knee.

Wednesday night's US Open Cup quarterfinal match between the LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake had some drama play out on the field as the teams reversed their scoring fortunes with some déjà vu after last week's MLS game.

But even more worrisome for the Angelenos, who occupy the basement position of the Western Conference's table, was the contactless injury Chicharito suffered in the 23rd minute.

A pass from Riqui Puig suddenly turned to horror as Chicharito, who looked like he might have extended and stepped on the ball in trying to control, went down and immediately signaled to the sideline for assistance.

The Galaxy has confirmed the news with a statement that reads: "The LA Galaxy today announced that forward Javier "Chicharito" Hernández sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee during the club's 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal match against Real Salt Lake on June 7. Hernández will undergo surgery on a date to be determined to begin the rehabilitation process."

Head coach Greg Vanney had expressed his hopes of the injury not being too serious after the veteran was stretchered off the field.

"We don't know until we get an MRI to see where it's at, so our fingers are crossed," he said in a postgame interview.

Chicharito has not lived up to expectations this season, with one goal and an assist through nine matches thus far. His absence is a major blow for the five-time MLS Cup champions, who will have to look elsewhere for a source of goals up front.

Dejan Joveljić, the 23-year-old Serbia international who replaced him, looks the likely candidate to lead Vanney's attack along with Preston Judd and Jonathan Perez.

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