If there was any doubt that Chris Wondolowski should be the starting center-forward for the San Jose Earthquakes, there is no more.
Major League Soccer’s new all-time top scorer followed up last weekend’s record-breaking performance against the Chicago Fire with a brace against Toronto FC on Sunday night, securing a hard-fought 2-1 road victory for the Quakes. The forward broke yet another record in the process, surpassing Landon Donovan for the most game-winning goals in Major League Soccer — forty-two.
This time, however, it wasn’t nearly as straightforward.
Toronto bossed the early moments of the game, and just three minutes from the opening whistle, Toronto full-back Auro tested Quakes goalkeeper Daniel Vega with a stinging low effort from the edge of the box. The Quakes continued to have trouble on their left side, with Richie Laryea shooting wide after beating Shea Salinas and Nick Lima on the dribble in the twelfth minute.
It was hardly a surprise, then, when Laryea fired Toronto into the lead from Marco Delgado’s cut-back.
However, San Jose slowly wrested their way back into the match. Cristian Espinoza was their main threat down the right wing, whipping a low cross into the middle for Wondolowski to equalize in the thirty-seventh minute.
Wondo had struggled to find service during an extended run in the starting lineup at the beginning of the season but he has now formed a strong connection with Espinoza and, on the opposite side, Shea Salinas. Together they have formed a quick, dangerous front-three that are as hot as any in Major League Soccer.
“It’s been fun,” said Wondolowski. “Goal scoring comes in bunches, whether good or bad, and right now they’re coming so I’m trying to take advantage of it.”
Espinoza nearly completed the comeback from Magnus Eriksson’s cut-back late in the second half, but Toronto goalkeeper Quentin Westberg made a smart reaction save to keep the game level.
The Earthquakes weathered another period of sustained pressure from Toronto as Justin Morrow shot on target and Delgado headed narrowly over early in the second half. However, center-back Florian Jungwirth made a series of lunging tackles to keep Toronto at bay, using his scrappy play to contain imposing forwards Terrence Boyd and Altidore.
All of which set up a perfect finish for Wondolowski, whose game-winning goal was a carbon copy of his opener — a low cross from Espinoza to set up a tap-in from six yards out. Wondo, cool as ever, tucked the ball into the back of the net. It’s just what he does.
PHOTO: ISI
