Chris Wondolowski Signs 1-Year Deal With Quakes

Chris Wondolowski (8) celebrates his goal against the Whitecaps in 2019
Chris Wondolowski (8) celebrates his goal against Whitecaps Photo by Chris Brown/CSM/Shutterstock

MLS all-time leading scorer Chris Wondolowski will stick around for one more year of soccer. San Jose Earthquakes announced on Tuesday that Wondolowski signed a new one-year deal and will return to the team for the 2020 MLS season.

Wondolowski, who finished 2019 with 15 goals, will play his 17th season in MLS and his 13th with Quakes next year.

“It’s impossible to fully explain all the ways Chris is devoted to this club,” – said Quakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli in a statement. “He truly embraces a bigger cause, well beyond the goals he scores and the records he breaks. Wondo has an unparalleled love for the game and the Quakes organization as a whole, and this is a great day for our fans and our club.”

Chris Wondolowski started his professional career with the San Jose Earthquakes in 2005, making two appearances with the team in his rookie season. The following season, Earthquakes moved to Houston, where they took over new identity as Houston Dynamo.

After three and a half years in Houston, during which he helped Dynamo back to back MLS Cups, Wondolowski was traded to re-established Earthquakes. Since them, he made 320 appearances with the club and scored 159 goals.

Over the course of his MLS career, Wondolowski won the MLS Golden Boot award two times while making five MLS All-Star appearances and winning the MLS MVP Award in 2012. In May, 2019 he became MLS all-time leading scorer, surpassing Landon Donovan.

“I’m very excited to be back for one more year,” – said Wondolowski after inking the deal. “Knowing how much fun it is in the locker room, the team unity that we have, and where this team is going, I wanted to be a part of it. I love this game. I love going out to practice. We’re a family. Even right now, it’s nice to have a couple days off, but I’m ready to get started again.”

Wondolowski, who will turn 37 in January, also said that once he retires, he wants to remain in San Jose.

“When I do decide to step away from the game, my goal is to remain a part of the Earthquakes organization and help the team any way I can.” – he added.

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