Wondolowski, MLS’ Joint Highest Single Season Goalscorer - Ever.
th October 2012 by a man named Chris Wondolowski. The record was equalled on an afternoon on JELD-WEN field, home of the Portland Timbers where, in the 23rd minute, a penalty was awarded by referee Mark Geiger after Donovan Ricketts tripped up Steven Lenhart in what was a cast iron penalty. The 24th minute was when the record books needed re-writing as Chris Wondolowski stepped up to the spot to calmly slot the ball into the bottom left-hand side of the goal. Its not been the easiest of careers for Wondolowski, having been drafted as the 41st pick in the supplemental draft back in 2005 to San Jose; Wondo has spent most of his career in the reserves than the first team, scoring 8 goals in 12 games before transferring to Houston, again in the reserves but still keeping his form up by putting away 13 goals in 11 games. Before June 2009, Wondolowski only scored 4 goals in 39 MLS appearances. Who would have thought that Wondolowski would then go on to score 27 goals in only a season? His move back to his home club San Jose in exchange for Cam Weaver in 2009 seemed to have brought him back to his college days where he scored for fun. In 28 appearances in 2010, the 6ft 1 striker scored 18 goals before going on to score 16 in 30 in 2011 and concluding the 2012 regular season with 27. Wondolowski is a striker not particularly gifted with natural ability yet his hard work ethic and intelligence on the pitch is incredible, during half time in the MLS All-Star game vs. Chelsea back in July (which in the first half Wondolowski scored), John Terry spoke to the American, calling his movement fantastic and describing his job of marking Wondo as a nightmare. Not a bad compliment to receive. It is of no surprise then that Wondolowski has already spoken out about wanting to be put on a designated player contract. His commitment and service to San Jose Earthquakes cannot be questioned and with the amount of goals he has tallied up over the years, particularly this year, you do have to think that he probably deserves a pay rise and if not, a move to Europe may well be a possibility and a good way to end a career in which Wondo has had to work so hard at.