Noting the rising tide of fans and pundits wondering why he continues to be left out of a Mexican side that struggled to score goals in the Concacaf Octagonal phase despite successfully qualifying for this fall’s World Cup in Qatar, a journalist asked Hernandez in Spanish how he’s responding to the snub.
“On that topic, like I’ve said for many years now, it’s always the same answer. I’m trying to do things in the best way, like my father and my grandmother taught me, to be eligible and to do things in the best way and that’s it,” said Chicharito, El Tri’s all-time leading scorer with 51 career goals. “There is not going to be a different answer to what’s on my mind and in my heart.”
The 33-year-old was otherwise his usual ebullient self postgame, nodding in the direction of the Rose City faithful as he expressed his appreciation for one of MLS’s most atmospheric venues. Focus now shifts towards another such occasion: Next weekend Chicharito and the Galaxy welcome their crosstown rivals LAFC to Dignity Health Sports Park for 2022’s first edition of El Trafico.
“It’s very, very precious going to Portland and get[ting] a win,” said Hernandez. “The atmosphere is always incredible because they have very good supporters, they support the team pretty, pretty well. You can feel that they are used to be fighting for championships. The only fault is the [synthetic] turf that I don’t like, obviously, I love the natural and I’m used to it.