Javier Hernandez had the last laugh after rival fans unfurled a clown tifo ahead of LA Galaxy’s ‘CaliClasico’ against San Jose Earthquakes.
The Mexican striker netted twice in the Galaxy’s 3-2 win on Saturday night after San Jose Ultras held up a banner that read ‘The LA circus – same clowns, different costumes’ with a pair of clowns underneath.
Chicharito, the former Manchester United forward, celebrated both his goals by acting like a clown and pulling a comical face to the home fans.
San Jose fans mocked visitors LA Galaxy by unfurling a clown tifo ahead of Saturday’s game
But the stunt backfired after Mexican striker Javier Hernandez scored twice and marked each of his goals with a clown celebration
‘Unbelievable and amazing. The best way to respond to a tifo like that is scoring two goals and celebrating like a clown,’ he said.
‘You know, sometimes people think that those kinds of stuff is going to put our confidence in ourselves down and they do completely the opposite.
‘They motivate us, they motivate me at least you know. So, thank you. Thank you for the people to put that because that brought something else from me because now I had more desire to win and to get the three points.’
Chicharito scored in the 12th and 69th-minutes, either side of Gaston Brugman’s strike, to put Galaxy three goals ahead at the Stanford Stadium.
The prolific Hernandez, formerly of Manchester United, has now scored 17 goals this season
A penalty from Cristian Espinoza on 74 minutes gave San Jose hope of a comeback in the MLS Western Conference clash and Nathan further reduced the arrears in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Chicharito now has 17 goals for the season and is fifth in the MLS Golden Boot race with two matches of the regular season to play.
The win could prove valuable as Galaxy look to wrap up a play-off place, while San Jose remain bottom of the standings.