ETO Overhyped or Bonafide: Luis “Matador” Hernandez
As we continue with our Overhyped or Bonafied, today we take a look at a TRI legend, Luis “El Matador” Hernandez.
Hernandez played with nine teams in Mexico and also played in the USA and Argentina. While usually associated with Necaxa or Tigres, El Matador debuted for Cruz Azul, and moved to Queretaro and Monterrey early in his career. He played 108 games for these three teams scoring 27 goals, averaging a goal every four games.
In 1994 he arrived in Necaxa, scoring 37 goals for los Rayos in 125 appearances, winning two Liga Championships, a Copa Mexico, Copa de Campeones, and a Concacaf Cup. After a great Copa America 97, Hernandez signed with Boca Juniors, however he spent most of his time on the bench making only 4 appearances for the Argentinian squad.He made his return to Mexico with Tigres where he made 64 appearances and scored 39 goals. El Matador also made the jump to MLS playing three years for the LA Galaxy scoring 15 goals in 40 games.A loan spell at America allowed Hernandez to win another championship, and his career dwindled with stints in Veracruz, Chiapas, and BUAP. He retired in 2004, playing a total of 362 games and scoring 132 goals, averaging a goal every three games.
With El Tri, El Matador made his debut in early 1995, scoring his first goal in November in a game against Yugoslavia. Henandez introduced himself to the world at the 1197 Copa America, where he won the Golden Boot at that tournament. El Matador played in two World Cups being one of the top scorers at the 1998 tournament. Hernandez was part of the team that won the 1999 Confederations Cup, and also won two Gold Cups in 96 and 98, winning the Golden Boot at the 98 event. In total, Hernandez played in 85 games for El Tri scoring 35 goals, which placed him in a tie in fourth with Carlos Hermosillo on the all time leading scorers list. El Matador averaged .41 goals per game with La Seleccion, and the grit he played with left a lasting image in fans minds.
So now, you decide, was El Matador Overhyped or Bonafide?
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