Hernandez goal gets Galaxy a point

CARSON >> It might be easy to forget about Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez’s start to the 2021 season.

The forward scored 10 goals in the first 10 games for the Galaxy before hitting the shelf due to a calf injury.

His first game back was last Saturday, when he put in a 60-minute shift against Colorado.

Wednesday, in his first home game since June 19, Hernandez was back on the scoreboard, helping the Galaxy (11-8-5, 38 points) secure a point in a 1-1 draw against the Houston Dynamo in front of 15,341 at Dignity Health Sports Park.

At this time of the season, any point is better than no points, and it certainly looked as if the Galaxy was trending toward getting nothing from this game.

The Dynamo opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Fafa Picault slipped past Galaxy defender Sega Coulibaly and poked the ball into the net.

The end of the half wasn’t any better as Hernandez took a knock to his right foot and hit the turf in the 45th minute. He limped off the field at halftime, but rejoined the team for the start of the second half.

In much need of a spark, Galaxy coach Greg Vanney brought on Dejan Joveljic to start the second half, replacing Efrain Alvarez.

In the 61st minute, the move paid off as Joveljic sent a cross toward Hernandez, who rose and headed the ball into the net to make it 1-1. The goal was his first since June 26, when he scored twice in a win at San Jose.

The Galaxy had the majority of possession in the second half as it pressed for the winning goal.

The draw is the second consecutive for the Galaxy. Last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Colorado could be considered a good point. This one, on the other hand, will leave a bad taste in the Galaxy’s mouth.

The Galaxy has a fourpoint lead on fifth-place Portland. The teams that finish second, third and fourth will host a firstround playoff game.

Jonathan Klinsmann started his second game in goal for the Galaxy. Regular starter Jonathan Bond was out due to a low grade quad strain.

Galaxy had just one win over Houston in the last eight meetings entering Wednesday’s game.

The Galaxy will return to action Saturday on the road at Minnesota United FC.