Chicharito scores his first goal of 2023 and ends LA Galaxy's hellish run

Chicharito Hernández bagged his first goal of 2023 on Saturday and ended the miserable, winless hell the LA Galaxy were experiencing in MLS.

With four losses and three draws, the mood around the team was far from giddy and the absence of the Mexican striker was a big reason for the stinky start. Hernández had been struggling with muscular injuries and missed the first five matches of the campaign. Although he returned to play some minutes against the Houston Dynamo and provided an assist against LAFC, both games ended in defeat. 

What the team needed was a goal from Chicharito.

And against Austin FC, that goal came and changed the Galaxy's luck. 

Chicharito goal vs Austin FC

Desperate for a win, Galaxy coach Greg Vanney tweaked his formation, opting for two strikers up top. The bet worked: a beautiful backheel from Dejan Joveljić found Chicharito in a shooting position. The Mexican didn't blink and curled the ball right into the net.

CHICHARITO! @LAGalaxy open the scoring early in the second half. pic.twitter.com/xHxnxUPfy4

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 23, 2023

It was a relief for Chicharito; it was a relief for LA Galaxy.

Austin FC tried to equalize but Riqui Puig killed their hopes after finishing a bolting counterattack for the final 2-0 scoreline.

Riqui Puig to the far post!

The @LAGalaxy double their lead. pic.twitter.com/tvUe7YaN2U

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 23, 2023

After nine match weeks, Sporting Kansas City is now the only team without a win.