Last season's Most Valuable Player Chris Wondolowski put together the kind of performance that proves his worth as a designated player.
Wondolowski assisted on one and scored the game-winner as the San Jose Earthquakes came back from one goal down to defeat Toronto FC, 2-1, on Wednesday night at Buck Shaw Stadium.
Despite 21 attempts on goal, 14 corner kicks, and nearly 58 percent of the possession, the San Jose Earthquakes nearly lost.
It took a second-half goal from substitute Cordell Cato to even the scoreline as the Earthquakes played Chivas USA to a 2-2 tie on Saturday night at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.
Two matchups in two weeks in the regular season is very rare within MLS, and the quick turnaround usually makes for an entertaining duo of matches. With all of the outside story lines inside and beyond the match, though, there should be some extra vigor and passion in the Timbers - Earthquake match on April 21 at 8 PM at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The Houston Dynamo extended their unbeaten run at BBVA Compass Stadium by shutting out an injured San Jose Earthquakes side. The Dynamo welcomed back its players that were out on international duty and put in a great team effort that defended well and created chances on goal. Houston Dynamo Player Ratings:
The Houston Dynamo continued their home dominance with a 2-0 victory of the San Jose Earthquakes at BBVA Compass Stadium. Forward Will Bruin got his first goal of the 2013 campaign, while Giles Barnes scored his second goal of the year.
In other news, Chris Wondolowski was held scoreless again.
Next up for the Houston Dynamo is an all familiar opponent - the San Jose Earthquakes. Some say the two clubs have a bit of a rivalry, mainly because they have that whole "didn't we used to be the same team" thing going on. However you see it, it's another tough test for Houston against one of the league's best.
Seattle Sounders FC falls to 0-2-1 -2 GD after a Saturday night loss to the San Jose Earthquakes. It was one of their five shots from outside the box that Chris Wondolowski deftly slotted past Michael Gspurning, but it was the only one that will matter. Seattle would take nine shots from outside the box, only two on target and none would reach the net.
Both sides will but forward significantly weakened teams from the Ideal XIs that a coach prefers. Seattle Sounders coach Sigi Schmid has dealt with the injuries a bit longer so his reduced team has a bit more experience than Frank Yallop's reduced San Jose Earthquakes.
The South Bay side still has decent talent though.
Tonight's 7:30 PM (KING/97.3/99.3) match between the San Jose Earthquakes will be an attempt by the Seattle Sounders to win in Buck Shaw in its final full season hosting soccer. While the 'Quakes dominated 2013 there is little that can be taken away from those results. Dawkins is gone and San Jose is down nearly a full XI.
The New York Red Bulls were in total control, and looked to have a road win in the bag on Sunday night, but two familiar scenarios played out yet again.
Roy Miller cost his team another game and the San Jose Earthquakes were able to capitalize with yet another late-game comeback.
For most of the match, the injury-depleted San Jose Earthquakes looked nothing like the team that won the Supporters' Shield and scored by far the most goals in Major League Soccer last year. The final few minutes and stoppage time [...]
Two of the top goal scorers in MLS square off as Chris Wondolowski and Thierry Henry do battle tonight in a clash of teams seeking their first victories of the season.
The San Jose Earthquakes will look to avoid starting the season with two straight home losses as they face off tonight (10pm, ESPN2) against a New York side that is on a second straight cross-country road trip after blowing a two-goal lead in last week's 3-3 draw vs.
After an eventful opening weekend featuring upsets, comebacks and goals aplenty, what can MLS do for an encore?
That is the question heading into Week 2. While the matchups are diluted by the absences of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Houston Dynamo and Seattle Sounders due to Champions League duty, there are still plenty of intriguing games to absorb as teams continue to grow into their 2013 identities.
Chris Wondolowski #8 of the San Jose Earthquakes (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
According to ESPN on the morning of Feb. 27, 2013, reports have surfaced that Major League Soccer defending Supporter's Shield winners, the San Jose Earthquakes have taken another step forward in the final days before the kick off of the 2013 regular season.
The San Jose Earthquakes enjoyed a dream season in 2012, blowing away all expectations on their way to a Supporters Shield-winning season, led by Chris Wondolowski's record-setting scoring campaign.
Despite their success though, there are question marks about whether the Earthquakes can duplicate, or even improve upon, that success.
He's finally climbed the mountain in Major League Soccer. After tying the league's all-time mark for goals scored in a single season, Chris Wondolowski is getting a big pay day with a new contract. SI.com's Grant Wahl had the storyMonday night, reporting that the contract is for four years, including three guaranteed.
The Portland Timbers took one step closer to their March 3rd opener by kicking off their home tournament against the reigning Supporter's Shield holders San Jose Earthquakes. Caleb Porter wanted to treat this game as close to a regular season game as possible and so he played what could be Portland's starting 11 on March 3rd.
The goal king in MLS is wanting a big pay day. (Getty Images)
I want to say I have written that headline once before. Maybe I have and I misplaced it or it was a dream. Whatever the case may be the headline should be all you need to know about what I am going to write below here. San Jose Earthquakes striker Chris Wondolowski has had a remarkable three-year run in Major League Soccer.
Normally I never do lists like this but I'm in the holiday spirit still even after Christmas. The end of 2012 is upon us and I'll admit, this has been a very interesting but good year in MLS.
Below are some of the top moments I came up with from this past year.
South Africa 2010. No matter where you were in the world, when American soccer fans saw Landon Donovan's strike hit the back of the net, beer went errrrrvrywhere. The pubs erupted with World Cup joy. Lucky for us we don't have to wait four years for an equalizing moment. Major League Soccer is jam-packed with amazing strikes, goals, headers, and golazos.
Talking about strikers in fantasy soccer is like talking about quarterbacks in the NFL: they're easily the "celebrities" of the draft. They get all the press, all the attention, and hopefully, if you're doing it right, all of the goals for your fantasy team.
Tomorrow afternoon the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft will get underway with four rounds. Most teams have four picks but there have been some wheeling and dealing in the past year that have altered the first two rounds a decent bit.
There is still some talent to be found in this draft too. We may even see a future Chris Wondolowski in this group.
Clemente Lisi speaks with US National Team player Chris Wondolowski first at the 2012 MLS Cup and then during the current National Team camp. Read More
A few heretofore relative unknowns appear in the high scorers this week. I mean, really, I would never have looked twice at a few of these guys, which may be a part of why it was a relatively low scoring week. First, we turn our attention to Dlewis, who led the league with 71 points. Chris Wondolowski (SJ, $10.
This was not a high scoring week for most coaches. The usual high scoring players just didn't put up the numbers this week. If you were able to play the current overall dream team, you would have gotten 51 points out of 10 players (Mike Magee was on bye.) Still, Louisiana Sat. Night managed to cobble together a lineup to earn 67 points.
Hundreds of UNion fans turn out at Xfinity Live! for meet the team/jersey unveiling. Brazilian midfielder on trial with the Union. Roster rules released. Garber to speak via YouTube tonight. US qualifies for U-20 World Cup. More news.
Hundreds turn out to meet the Union and see the club's new jersey be unveiled. Also, Brazilian midfielder on trial with the Union, roster rules released, Garber to speak via YouTube, US tops Canada, qualifies for U-20 World Cup, and more news.
Man, that was tough. Tough, as in "tough to watch." The United States looked a winnable - nay, easy - game right in the eyes and promptly played the most boring, emotionless, and unexciting match of their lives. It wasn't just dull, it was mind-numbing. Honestly, if I'm Canada, I'm a little upset that I didn't steal a win in this game.
Here's your game thread for the USMNT vs Canada tonight.
Here's your starting lineups.
USMNT
GK: Sean Johnson D: Justin Morrow, Matt Besler, Omar Gonzalez, Tony Beltran M: Brad Evans, Kyle Beckerman (captain), Graham Zusi, Brad Davis F: Chris Wondolowski, Eddie Johnson
Bench: Joshua Gatt, Alejandro Bedoya, Bill Hamid, Juan Agudelo, Benny Feilhaber, Alfredo Morales, Will Bruin
Canada
GK: Simon Thomas D: Nikolas Ledgerwood, Dejan Jakovic, Ashtone Morgan, Nana Attakora M: Tosaint Anthony Ricketts, Terry Dunfield, Kyle Bekker, Jonathan Beaulieu-Bourgault, Russel Teibert F: Dwayne De Rosario
Let's be clear about something right away: the United States has absolutely nothing invested in this match against Canada. Competitively, it's a meaningless exercise. For a lot of these players, though, it's an opportunity to get into Jurgen Klinsmann's immediate consciousness, and maybe even play their way into his plans for the World Cup Qualifier against Honduras on February 6th.
The Western Conference saw plenty of action this past weekend with surprise scorelines and international players departing for World Cup Qualifying. Despite that, plenty of talent was on display. Juan Agudelo and Darren Mattocks turned in their best performances of the young season while Chris Wondolowski found the back of the net.
The first week of MLS had some interesting results and performances on the pitch, and that translated to an interesting week in fantasy. Mike McGee dropped an 18 spot with his hat trick, Chris Wondolowski only came away with a point, and Quarterback Style manager Eva Hall dropped a triple digit bomb to to claim top of the table.
2012 MLS leading scorer and handsome man, Chris Wondolowski wants you to have the FBM scarf.
All the cool kids are doing it (and a lot of un-cool ones, too). Post-Thanksgiving sales. Why not get in on all the fun, but without having to stab someone for a deal?
From now until the end of the weird day, "Cyber Monday", we're offering the FBM scarf for only $20 (that's 20% off!
