Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Why Chicharito's Home Debut Has LA Galaxy Fans Stoked
Chicharito joined the Galaxy in January. (Courtesy of LA Galaxy)
()
The moment is upon us.
On Saturday, LA Galaxy fans will get their first chance to cheer on the team's newest member, Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, in the home-opening match against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
When the Mexican soccer star first landed in Los Angeles earlier this year, hundreds of LA Galaxy and Mexican soccer fans met him at the airport, joyously chanting his name.
Support for LAist comes from
At a recent pick-up soccer game in Hawthorne, Frank Reyes, president of the Angel City Brigade, a Galaxy fan group, said he was proud to root for Mexico's leading goal scorer.
"Me being Mexican American, it means a lot to have a Mexican star on the team," he said.
Others at the game saw it as a strategic play to attract more Mexican fans.
"To sign Chicharito in a city that's so close to Mexico itself, in a business sense, it's a damn smart move," said Charlene Ramos. She said the decision was transparently political. "It's part of the game, and it's foolish to think that it's not."
She said she's already hearing rumors that Chicharito might tempt Los Angeles Football Club fans -- Galaxy's L.A. rival -- to show up to Galaxy games.
Another supporter, Manny Martinez, acknowledged Chicharito's significance to Mexican fans, but said Galaxy fans come from all backgrounds.
Support for LAist comes from
"It's not just one nation," he said, gesturing to the rolling box speaker he brought, which was playing reggaeton, cumbia, hip hop, rap, and norteña. "It's Los Angeles, all-in-one."
Manny Martinez plays soccer with other LA Galaxy fans (Photo by Marv Keller)
()
Still, some LA Galaxy fans, like Gabriel Morando, are still adjusting to the new addition.
"The other day I clicked the follow button on Chicharito," he said. "If you told me six months ago that I'd be following him, I would be like 'you're nuts, screw that guy', because of the U.S.-Mexico rivalry."
Morando still plans to support Chicharito -- as long as he plays well.
"One month into the season and if he hasn't scored a goal, I'm gonna be tearing him up on social media," he laughed.
Chicharito joined the team after playing in Europe, and before that, on the Mexican team, Club Deportivo Guadalajara (better known as Chivas). For the next three years, he'll take the place of striker Zlatan Ibrahimović, whose contract has expired.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems. -
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028. -
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach. -
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility.
Best of LAist