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SBI MLS Player of the Week: Chris Wondolowski

WondoEarthquakes (Getty)

The Vancouver Whitecaps defense set an MLS record on Saturday for most minutes without allowing a goal to start the season, a scoreless streak that Chris Wondolowski helped the San Jose Earthquakes shatter.

Wondolowski delivered the equalizing goal, and then volleyed home an insurance goal, to help San Jose beat the Vancouver Whitecaps, 3-1, on Saturday. Wondolowski's brace also helped him earn SBI MLS Player of the Week honors.

The two goals give Wondolowski six goals on the season, one behind MLS leader Thierry Henry.

Wondolowski beat out a strong field of candidates for SBI MLS Player of the Week, including New York Red Bull teammates Kenny Cooper and Henry, as well as FC Dallas defender Ugo Ihemelu.

What did you think of Wondolowski's performance? Who was your pick for MLS Player of the Week?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. ok JRP yes RSL vs KC is a big game aswell! Im just looking forward to see two of the most in form strikers in MLS duke it out. Both teams are playing some of the best football in the league right now, so idk where your heads at mate?!

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  2. Wow, somebody has a case of the mondays or just a bad day. Wondo has been the top goal scorer on the mls since he constantly started. Its one thing have an opinion but to completely dismiss stats is just foolish.

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  3. Funny how ESPN and SI have both picked RSL VS SKC as the game of the week. They are both the top seat in each conference. NYRB and San Jose are both second fiddle.
    However, watching Henry and Wondolately find the net will be fun as both teams have mediocre defenses and strong offenses.
    Wondo has had two good seasons in the MLS and many more terrible seasons. I am glad he has found his form. Henry has had 35 good days in the MLS.
    In a way, media coverage of both players makes me yawn. But it won’t be a boring game.

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  4. Wow, I can’t read tables or schedules haha. You meant the KC/RSL game. Yeah, that’s a great matchup. I’m still more interested in NY/SJ but both good.

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  5. You expect Vancouver to stay there?

    Don’t take it from me. I guarantee New York vs. San Jose gets more attention than Vancouver vs. Kansas City. To each their own though…do your thing.

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  6. Really? Henry? I’m an Arsenal man but even I see that, in context to the game he played (against a previously undefeated team w/one of the best defenses in MLS), Wondo’s performance earned him the honors. NYRB was not going to lose to Aftershave FC but San Jose came from a 0-1 deficit to win.

    And yes, SJ/NY will be the game of the week.

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  7. MLS isn’t and likely never will be in a class with the top 4 euro leagues. Its nothing to be ashamed of – neither are any of the other leagues in the world. Be an optimist and think of all the guys who have come here from other leagues and not done much. And sometimes its as much about style as it is quality – some players are simply better fits stylisticially for one league over another.

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  8. wondo scored 2 goals against the team that just set the record for scoreless streak to start a season…

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  9. I agree with the replies to your question. Wondo has actually not even been given that many chances at the Int’l level. Every time he has played he does get amazing shots off; he just has had so many near-misses and keepers making great saves.

    What I don’t understand is how can someone like Jozy Altidore get sooooo many chances to start and hardly ever produces shots like Wondo or Herculez Gomez, but still gets tons of opportunities to start.

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  10. Wondo is on pace to once again score the most goals in MLS for a season (Henry would be the favorite if he could stay healthy) and hands down the best USA scorer in the MLS. Bradley and Klinsmann have both given him fairly short playing time, something that does not help a player with his endurance (he ran 4:15 in the mile at UCLA). He can wear down defenders by constant movement off the ball to get free.

    His SJ teammates have come to expect him to pop up unmarked and are always looking for him to be free. If his USMNT teammates did some more of that, he would be seeing a lot more time in the Nats jersey.

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  11. Wondo hasn’t really gotten a fair shake with the Nats. I think he’ll get another chance. He has a nose for the goal like no one else in this league.

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  12. Wondo has actually had horrible luck with the USMNT.

    In all of his appearances he seems to get amazing shots on goal (as a result of impeccable timing and precision) that somehow elicit wonder saves from average goalkeepers.

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  13. Should be Thierry Henry for his 2 goal, 1 assist performance. You guys don’t want to give it to him 3 weeks in a row?

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  14. who would have thought that the biggest game this year would be the Red Bulls vs. Quakes?? The quakes backline is top class, with Big Vic Bernardez a man amongst boys shutting it down..the signing of the year and frontrunner for MLS defensive player of the year.

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  15. In the case of Buddle or Findley, I would agree. But Wondo is a different kind of player. Rather than the physically gifted but skill deficient player that somehow excels against poor MLS defenses, he is a technically good player with an excellent mind for the game (good vision, positioning, and creativity + excellent finishing).

    Wondo has been poorly utilized on the USMNT. As a SJ fan, I’m well aware that he is not effective as a lone center-forward, but that is how he was played most often for the Nats. He’s best as a second striker, and has also proven a better right mid than CF. Wondo is better than his nats appearances would indicate. By all means, watch him play and you’ll realize that he is a class player, who if missing anything, it is the athleticism that past MLS dominating FWs are known for. He may not be the best option for the US in the FW position, but his success in the MLS is not a sign of lacking quality in the opposition.

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  16. Am I the only one who kind of sighs when someone who (generally) failed w/ the USMNT is (or continues to be) successful in the MLS? I think it’s both because I’m upset these guys couldn’t take their talent to the international level, but also because it is one of the most telling signs of how the MLS isn’t as good as other leages…
    Please don’t bash, it could just be a case of the Mondays.

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