Chris Wondolowski moved within three goals of Landon Donovan’s Major League Soccer goalscoring record with his winning strike in a 4-3 victory over FC Dallas, San Jose’s first win at Avaya since opening day in March. Although the Quakes are already out of the playoff race, Wondo’s record offers the team renewed purpose, and his return to the starting lineup gave the squad a mental edge that has been sorely lacking in recent matches.
“He’s closing in on most goals in MLS history,” said defender Nick Lima. “It’s something special to watch him play and play with him. Having him on the field is definitely a motivation for us to perform better and help him out, as well as know that he is going to help us out.”
As the scoreline suggests, it was a back-and-forth affair. The Quakes found themselves down after only seven minutes, a mixup at the back between Shea Salinas and Florian Jungwirth allowing Dallas to break down the wing. Goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell could only parry a low cross into the middle of the box, where Maxi Urruti was on hand to convert.
Yet the Quakes showed resilience, and Vako equalized within ten minutes. The Georgian combined with Magnus Eriksson in the middle and, with two lucky bounces, found himself in on goal to equalize. Vako was at the heart of San Jose’s offense, and slipped through the middle again at the end of the first half, slotting home to complete the comeback.
The victory was jeopardized early in the second period, though, when Santiago Mosquera broke in behind to equalize after Guram Kashia’s mistimed tackle. After the Quakes gave up a two-goal lead to the Vancouver Whitecaps last weekend, it appeared as if the home side could let another opportunity slip through their grasp.
On this occasion, however, Wondo’s leadership gave the Quakes urgency up top. Eriksson immediately reasserted their lead, curling a beautiful effort into the top corner from twenty-five yards.
Dominique Badji responded with another equalizer for Dallas shortly thereafter, but Wondo finally stamped his authority on the match in the sixty-second minute. After a neat one-two with Vako around the penalty area, the thirty-five-year-old found the side netting with a cool side-footed finish, his one-hundred-and-forty-second goal in MLS.
Dallas threatened to equalize in added time, with only Nick Lima’s last-ditch tackle preventing late heartbreak for San Jose. Coach Mikael Stahre admitted that luck was a crucial element of the win – luck that has been six-months overdue.