Chicharito got his work visa!

Our nightmare is over, as Chicharito got his visa to work legally in the United States, the LA Galaxy announced on Wednesday.

I use the “nightmare” framing in mostly joking terms, as the Mexican forward arrived in the United States long enough in advance to secure a P-1 Visa ahead of the Galaxy’s Feb. 29 MLS season opener against the Houston Dynamo.

However, even bureaucratic processes like this that are normally routine are not entirely predictable, as conditions like government policy, staffing and whether a critical decision-maker in the process woke up on the wrong side of the bed or not can play a big role in approval and timing. For one recent example, this offseason the New England Revolution signed a defender, Samba Camara, this offseason but the contract was subsequently void after the Frenchman’s visa was denied. Why was it denied? That’s unclear!

Again, Chicharito getting his visa was a 99.9999999% certainty, but until it’s in hand, you never know. But now it’s in hand, all good, crisis averted.

Another factor to consider is that Chicharito has been in shape having come from Spain midseason and he admitted during media availability on Thursday at training that he was not worried about the delay in his paperwork coming through. Translation: Guy got to kick back a bit, probably settle in to Los Angeles a bit and have a bit of a break before work picks up again. Living the dream!

Chicharito is expected to make his visible playing debut Saturday in preseason action against Toronto FC at Dignity Health Sports Park.

What do you think? Are you heading out to the game on Saturday? How many goals are you setting for Chicha in 2020? Let’s chat in the comments below!