Javier Hernandez netted a double to silence the San Jose Earthquakes crowd as LA Galaxy triumphed 3-2 to boost their playoffs aspirations on Saturday.
The former Mexico international took his season tally to 17 goals, mimicking a clown when celebrating both his goals in retaliation to a pre-game San Jose tifo that read: The LA circus – same clowns, different costumes .
The result moves Galaxy up two places into fifth in the Western Conference on 46 points from 32 games, having secured back-to-back wins for the first time in MLS since April.
Julian Araujo s right-side ball for Hernandez led to the opener in the 12th minute, with the ex-Manchester United forward poking home.
Gaston Brugman doubled Galaxy s lead in the 42nd minute, capitalizing on a sloppy turnover to rifle in a rocket in off the underside of the bar.
Hernandez added their third in the 69th minute, producing a classy finish after Efrain Alvarez threaded an excellent ball into the box for him.
Cristian Espinoza pulled a goal back in the 74th minute, converting a penalty he won after before brought down by Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Bond before Hernandez fizzed a chance for his hat-trick wide.
The Earthquakes grabbed another goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Nathan s deflected header went in from Miguel Trauco s bouncing volley but it was mere consolation for the west s bottom side.
Stop cLowning around,
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy)
