On the one hand, the 32-year-old striker enjoyed an outstanding individual campaign, scoring 17 goals in 21 games to almost win the MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi. It was an emphatic rebound from an injury-shortened finish in 2020 when he played just 758 minutes and scored two goals.
However, Chicharito’s outstanding season also ended in heartbreak. The Galaxy missed qualification for the Audi MLS Cup qualifiers in the dying moments of Decision Day, thanks to Real Salt Lake’s game-winning goal at Sporting Kansas City. They also drew with Minnesota United FC, leaving Mexico’s all-time leading scorer focused on fixing that painful end in 2022.
“For us, we learned a very hurtful lesson last season,” Hernandez told reporters on Thursday’s MLS is Back media call. “We were the only team in playoff position until the last second when Salt Lake scored that last-minute goal in the last game. So we learned that hurtful lesson, so we just want to keep all the good and positive things that we did last season and of course make others better so we can’t have the same moment we did last season we want to make the playoffs and we want to try to win this sixth championship.
“For me, every day I try to do my best, to be in the best shape mentally, tactically and to acquire the football skills in the best way possible. That’s the only thing I have in mind is the commitment I owe to this organization, to this team, to this family I want to give the best of myself What is under my control is that: my commitment, my professionalism , taking care of my body and hopefully I can get to the best confidence, best mental health, clean, just very present doing what I love the most.”