BY RIDGE MAHONEY, SENIOR EDITOR The departure of Luis Hernandez from MLS and the Galaxy was made official on Monday. The Mexican striker, who cost the league a reported $4 million to acquire last year, asked to be “released” from his MLS contract. The league made back some of that money by loaning him out to teams in the Mexican League but he never proved to be the crowd draw MLS hoped he would be. Despite Hernandez scoring the Galaxy’s goal in MLS Cup 2001, Coach Sigi Schmid dropped hints of his departure by citing the team’s playoff victories over the Metros and Chicago in decisive third games without him. Commissioner Don Garber also greased the skids under Hernandez during the season by noting his lack of impact on Hispanic fans. Hernandez played 30 MLS regular-season games, scored 12 goals and had nine assists in 2000 and 2001. He was named to the MLS All-Star team in both of his seasons and scored for the Galaxy in its 2-1 loss in MLS Cup 2001. A source said Hernandez has bought out his contract for an undisclosed sum in anticipation of signing a deal with a new club. He played only 148 minutes for Club America in the recently concluded Torneo Inveirno and failed to score. He had three goals in the Torneo Verano last spring. Reports in the Mexican media have Argentine club Huracan interested in acquiring Hernandez. He had a brief, unhappy stay — zero league appearances — with Boca Juniors several years ago. Cynics may say “Good riddance.” But if a flamboyant goalscorer can’t lure Mexican fans to MLS games does the league have any hope of tapping into this market? Kansas City drew one of its best crowds of the season — 9,352 — Wednesday night for a Merconorte Cup game. The Wizards had no hope of advancing. The opponent was Mexican club Santos Laguna.