Now that's an underdog story.
From Houston Dynamo afterthought to Golden Boot winner, the San Jose Earthquakes' Chris Wondolowski emerged as the unlikeliest success story this season, scoring a league-best 18 goals en route to capturing SBI's Most Valuable Player award.
Wondolowski, who has scored San Jose's last 10 goals, earned four of a possible six first-place votes on SBI ballots (including mine) to outlast FC Dallas' David Ferreira, who received the two other first-place votes, and Los Angeles' Edson Buddle.
Acquired from Houston in exchange for Cam Weaver in the summer of 2009, Wondolowski displayed an impeccable finishing touch, especially down the stretch, to help guide San Jose to the postseason for the first time since the franchise's re-inception to Major League Soccer. Fifteen of his 18 goals were of the non-penalty-kick variety, and he had three multi-goal performances in his final seven games, including hat tricks against Toronto FC and Chivas USA (in a 50-minute stint as a substitute).
What do you think about this selection? Who gets your vote for league MVP?
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