Wondolowski will return for another season
“Not Done Yet.”
That’s how the San Jose Earthquakes on Friday announced the return of Major League Soccer’s all-time scoring leader Chris Wondolowski.
Earthquakes fans were treated to an early present on Christmas morning as the team announced Wondolowski, 37, signed a one-year deal to remain with San Jose for the 2021 season.
“I was fully committed to making 2020 the final year of my career, but I’ve reconsidered and can’t wait to join my teammates one more time as we look to bring an MLS Cup back to San Jose,” Wondolowski said in a statement released by the team. “The fans have consistently supported me through the ups and downs and I’d always regret not properly saying goodbye.”
Wondolowski, who will turn 38 in January, hinted in November that 2020
might not be his final MLS season, saying “I still want to play one more year,” before noting the decision was not his alone to make. At the time, Wondolowski said one of the motivating factors in his potential return was the opportunity to close out his career in front of the fans that have supported him.
Wondolowski’s 166 career goals over a 15-year career in the MLS are the most of any player, besting Landon Donovan, who scored 145 during a 15-year stint in the league from 2001-2016. Wondolowski has scored 162 goals for San Jose, all of which have come since 2009 when the team returned to the area after relocating to Houston from 2006-2009.
The Danville native and De La Salle grad was originally selected by his local club in the fourth round of the 2005 MLS Draft. He has been named the Earthquakes’ Team MVP or Offensive Player of the Year in seven of his 11 seasons with San Jose.
“He has given every
thing he has to the San Jose Earthquakes and it was never in question that he deserves a better sendoff than 2020 was going to allow for,” Earthquakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli said in a statement. “We’re excited to have
Wondo fighting on our side in 2021 and for our fans to enjoy the league’s greatest goal- scorer for one more season.”
Wondolowski was the E a r t hqu a ke s’ leading scorer during the 2020 season with seven goals, plus
one in the “MLS is Back Tournament.” Round of 16 match vs. Real Salt Lake and another during the team’s playoff loss to Sporting Kansas City.
The Quakes went 8-9- 6 in MLS play (9- 6-10 overall).