Mexican star Javier "Chicharito" Hernández entered Wednesday's Carling Cup match against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 81st minute. Nine minutes later, he scored the game-winner in the 3-2 victory.
In 12 non-exhibition matches with Manchester United, Hernández has six goals. (He also tallied against the Major League Soccer All-Stars.) Impressive stuff, especially considering he's played 25 minutes or less in five of those tilts, although his three strikes in the English Premier League have come where he's gone the distance.
The "Little Pea" — named so because his father, who was also a professional player, was known as ChÃcharo, or, "Pea" — is lighting the footballing world on fire.
So here's a question: Has an American ever had such an immediate impact on a European club? And if so, when will it happen again?
[inlinenode:302440]The list of United States attacking players finding quick success across the pond isn't as short as one might think.
The closest mirror to Hernández's accomplishment is Eric Wynalda. The striker moved to FC Saarbrücken in 1992 and scored eight goals during his first half-season in the Bundesliga. After the break, however, he struggled as his club was relegated.
Two years later, Joe-Max Moore followed the Californian's footsteps, netting 13 in his only campaign with the German club, which was still floundering in the second division.
DaMarcus Beasley should also be considered. He replaced Arjen Robben at PSV in 2004, and although he only tallied six goals, he started 29 matches and helped the Dutch club to their 18th league title.
More recently, Michael Bradley earned his way into the Heerenveen starting lineup soon after joining the club in 2006 and played a role as the side qualified for the UEFA Cup. (The next year, he would tally 20 goals in all competitions and earn passage to the Bundesliga.)
Beasley, Bradley and Moore, however, lose points for playing in weaker leagues. While starting for any club in Europe is an impressive feat, Hernández is finding time in the best league in the world.
By that metric, Stuart Holden's performance at Bolton can be compared with that of El Tri's newest hero. The former Houston Dynamo standout is one of the best players on an EPL squad that's exceeding expectations. He has yet to find the back of the net, but he's starting in the middle of the Trotters' formation, a position he would have assumed much earlier were it not for a fractured shin.
[inlinenode:316605]But Holden's case isn't even that similar to Chicharito's. In addition to a lack of goal-scoring, the Texas-bred player is three years Hernández's senior.
Are there any Americans who might make a leap during the next few campaigns?
Honestly, it's a short list, even based on best-case scenarios. Juan Agudelo has the best shot, assuming he can focus his massive talent. Jack McInerney has shown flashes with the Philadelphia Union, but he needs lots of seasoning. Omar Salgado has a long way to come.
These players, or another, could emerge during the next three years to match Hernández's feat. But for now, at least, the Little Pea is in a class by himself.
Noah Davis covers the United States national team for MLSsoccer.com. Follow him on Twitter at @noahedavis.
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