Chicharito Keeps Finding the Net
Posted on March 27, 2011 15:27
Javier Hernandez netted another 2 goals, leading Mexico to an unexpectedly easy victory over Paraguay. The 3-1 result at the Oakland Coliseum gave all the fans, over 65,000 of them, reason to prolong their celebration. Okay, they really didn’t need a reason, but it was a nice excuse.
Ho hum, another day, another brace for the guy who just seems to always be at the right place at the right time. Isn’t that what his critics say?
It appears that the more he scores, the more some folks are trying to discredit his efforts. It’s as if all he does is camp out next to the goalie and hope that the ball makes his way.
He is working a little harder than that, though. I would have to think that there might be just a little skill involved when a player tallies goals with the right foot, the left foot, the back heel, a standing header, a flying header, and his face — all while beating or out muscling defenders to gain position.
Over in Manchester, Chicharito is the first to arrive for training, and the last player to leave. He does his homework and has hit the gym. “My secret is to study opposition defenders and work out their weak points. I try to outwit them with my speed and anticipation in the area. So my goals are not down to luck.
”Physically I have gotten a lot stronger, I go to the gym a lot. It is not because I like it. It is something I needed to do because the English league is quicker and more physical.”
I enjoy watching Hernandez play because he always seems to do so with a smile on his face. He loves the game and he loves playing it. It has to be contagious. I know I am afflicted.
And despite all of his success, both in Mexico and in Manchester, he is the first to remind us all that he is merely part of something bigger. “The most important thing for me has always been the results of the team. Goals are merely a consequence of the work everyone does.”
And if his humility isn’t enough to convince folks of the character of Mr. Chicharito, perhaps this story will.
If Chicharito, the player, can one day live up to Javier Hernandez, the person, we might have the pleasure of watching a pretty decent striker.
Chicharito = the Mexican Tim Tebow.
(what? I’m from Gainesville, Florida.)
Who is trying to discredit his efforts? Are you talking about fans or about pundits?
It seems to me that he’s a popular player, who is exceeding all expectations so far both at ManU and for his country.
Clearly talking about erick
He just scores. But he puts himself in a position to score. He makes good runs and gets open. That’s what a striker is supposed to do.
I heard it from both after the UCL game vs. Marseille.
Of course, most of those pundits were from Mexico.
I’m a ManU fan from Ireland (we are actually affectionately called the Mexicans by some English fans because we come from south of the border, but that’s another story) and I can tell you, over here he is seen as a phenomenon.
Every review of the season in England talks about the two amazing signings by Sir Alex Ferguson, Chris Smalling (a 20 year old who is already a certain England Centre back of the future) and the Little Pea, who is being compared with the legendary Ole Gunnar Solskaer (which is pretty close to being elevated to sainthood here!) – but actually, he’s more like the early Michael Owen – conservative estimates are that he is already worth 4 times his fee! (which was about 7m£, so now about 25-28 million £)
Thanks for the snapshot, irishman
One of my favorite players in world football. For all the reasons listed above and most of all because he is living the dream and not acting like he deserves it! He is genuinely thrilled to be doing what he is doing.
I wouldn’t mind him acting like he deserves it if he were actively scoring. His humility and ease is just a bonus for us… how can anyone hate the guy…. and yet there are those that still do.
Agreed. His actions on the field make me like him as a player either way, but his attitude and humility make me like him as a person. Rare for a superstar footballer.
Great player, amazing goalscorer. How can anyone discredit the guy?
I’m a United fan, and a Yank. This kid is the genuine article, and I hope he never loses the common touch. Class, all the way, and a player that can be…dare I say it, the leader of what could be Mexico’s greatest generation of players (along with Guardado, the brothers Dos Santos, Ochoa)?
i think not
Chicharito is terrific. As a US fan, I am shaking in my boots to think what this guy might do to us in CONCACAF qualifying. Actually shaking.
I was at the Coliseum and while Paraguay were shockingly crap that in no way detracts from Hernandez’ effort and skill. He was clearly a cut above.
His first goal looked effortless, but that’s because he snapped into position in front of his marker in a flash and his finish was perfect. That really deflated the South Americans and they gave up (and I do mean gave up) a gawd awful second not long after that.
Ditto most of the comments. Excellent player, seems like a very decent guy, and really not looking forward to him facing the US.
Just as a point of clarification, the Oakland Alemeda County Coliseum does not come close to seating 65,000. The actual seating capacity is just under 50,000 for soccer. For American football it’s 63,000. Actual attendance at th match was 48,000.
yeah and 2 br appts only hold 2 ppl.
lol, pen…
I agree. Little Pea seems like a guy that would be awesome to have a beer with, unlike most superstar athletes who are just full of themselves. The criticism of him is stupid. People used to say the same kind of thing about Randy Moss. “All he does is score touch downs”. Well scoring goals/touchdowns is a pretty important skill to have.
Anybody who criticizes a striker for always “happening” to be in the right place at the right time is criticizing a player for having a high soccer IQ. It’s like criticizing a running back for always “happening” to see the right seam.
God I hate Chicharito. He’s so damn good, he plays for our biggest rival, is like a nuclear weapon in the hands of your enemy next door, and he is so nice and humble that you can’t hate him for any other good reason!
Yeah, as a USA guy, I hate Mexico (in soccer) as much as anyone, and generally refuse them credit for anything soccer-related. But how can anyone reasonably denigrate Chicharito’s ability or the results he is getting with it?
OVER HYPED.
I don’t mean to get off-topic but I’m having trouble loading this page correctly in Firefox. The margins are all messed up and some things overlap each other. Just wanted to let you know since a lot of people use this browser.
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