Cucho Hernández

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Updated through December 13, 2023

Columbus (2023): Cucho Hernández recorded a total of 27 games (27 games started) in the 2023 MLS Regular Season and recorded a total of 16 goals and 11 assists. Hernández scored his first goal of the season away at Inter Miami CF (April 29), a game which sparked a nine-game run of contributing to goals for the Black & Gold. Notably, the Colombian international scored his first hat-trick for the Black & Gold away from home at CF Montreal (September 2), in which he recorded three goals off six shots taken. Two games later, Hernández found himself scoring his second hat-trick for the Black and Gold against the Chicago Fire FC (September 20), which resulted in being the second fastest hat-trick recorded from start of a match in MLS history at 22:51 minutes. Hernández went on to record two goals in his next four games, scoring against the Philadelphia Union (September 30) and Atlanta United (October 7). In the 2023 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, the 24-year-old started all six matches, recording five goals – tied for the most in the postseason – and two assists. In the 2-1 MLS Cup Final victory against Los Angeles Football Club at Lower.com Field, Hernández earned MLS Cup MVP after scoring the opening goal in the 33rd minute of the championship while tallying five shots with two on target and winning 100 percent of his duels. 

In 2023, Hernández ranked first in MLS for shots (165) and shots on target (58). The Pereira, Colombia native became only the second player in Club history to record 25 or more goal contributions in his first 30 matches and only the fifth to do so in an entire season. He set a franchise record with a goal contribution in nine consecutive matches (April 29 to June 17, 2023), which was the longest such streak in MLS since 2019. At the end of the season, Hernández earned the Columbus Crew’s Most Valuable Player and Golden Boot awards.

Columbus (2022): Cucho Hernandez was acquired by the Crew from English side Watford F.C as a Designated Player. The Colombian international made his debut against the Chicago Fire FC away from home (July 9), capped off by scoring the game winner in the 83rd minute. Hernandez went on to score three goals in his next two matches away from home at D.C. United (July 13) and at Lower.com Field against FC Cincinnati in the Hell is Real derby (July 17). Cucho went on to have another three-game scoring run in the later stages of August, in which he recorded four goals in three games against NYCFC (August 6), the Colorado Rapids (August 13), and notably netting two against Atlanta United (August 21). Cucho found the back of the net for the final time away from home, at Inter Miami CF (September 13). The Pereira, Colombia native ended the season with 16 matches played (14 starts), nine goals, and three assists recorded.

Watford F.C. (2021-22): Hernandez spent the 2021-2022 season with Watford F.C., making 28 appearances across all competitions while scoring five goals and providing three assists. The forward made his club debut in a 2021 Premier League home match against Aston Villa FC (August 14), scoring just 49 seconds after coming off the bench. With the goal – which turned out to be the game-winner – Hernandez became the first Colombian player to score in his Premier League debut. Following the end of the 2021-2022 season, the striker was awarded Watford’s Goal of the Season award for his bicycle kick strike in a match against Arsenal FC.

Getafe CF (2020-21): Hernandez played for LaLiga side Getafe CF from 2020-2021, making 23 appearances, scoring two goals, and provided three assists.

RCD Mallorca (2019-20): The Colombian striker then joined LaLiga side RCD Mallorca for the 2019-2020 season, making 24 appearances while tallying five goals and one assist.

S.D. Huesca (2017-19): After spending the first half of 2017 with America de Cali, Hernandez played for Spanish Second Division side S.D. Huesca from 2017-2019. In his first season in Spain, the forward helped Huesca earn promotion to LaLiga, Spain’s First Division. Cucho scored his first goal in the main category of Spanish football, netting the opener at FC Barcelona (September 2). In 2019, Cucho also scored the opening goal away at Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu (March 31). In all, Hernandez played for Huesca from 2017-2019, making 70 appearances while registering 20 goals and nine assists.

Deportivo Pereira (2015-16): The Pereira-born forward made his professional debut with Deportivo Pereira of Colombia’s Second Division in 2015, making 20 appearances and scoring three goals in his first season. In 2016, his second season with Deportivo Pereira, Hernandez scored 20 goals and provided four assists to finish as the leading scorer of Colombia’s Second Division. 2016 also saw Hernandez register his first hat trick, as the then 16-year-old scored three goals against Tigres FC (July 13). Following his outstanding 2016 performance, Hernandez signed with America de Cali of Colombia’s topflight.