San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski needed just two goals to break Landon Donovan’s all-time goalscoring record of 145.
In his first start since March 30th, Wondolowski did just that and more, scoring a quartet of goals in San Jose’s 4-1 win over the Chicago Fire.
Wondolowski’s first goal to tie the record came in the 21st minute as Cristian Espinoza fired a long ball across the pitch to Shea Salinas. Salinas drove into the box and found Wondolowski at the far post for the first goal of the day.
WHAT A MOMENT!
The goal that puts @ChrisWondo one away from history! #WondoWatch pic.twitter.com/MeOjArqPDv
— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) May 18, 2019
Wondolowski’s second goal came just minutes into the second half. David Ousted dropped a cross from Nick Lima right in front of his net and Wondolowski rushed in and fired the ball past Ousted for the record-breaking goal.
THE ALL-TIME SCORING RECORD BELONGS TO @CHRISWONDO! #Quakes74 https://t.co/MXZoyTUMA0
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 18, 2019
The striker would add two more goals in the 74th and 76th minutes respectively to seal the lopsided win.
It was his first performance with more than two goals since scoring a hat trick on Oct. 7th, 2012. With the win, the Quakes moved to eighth place in the Western Conference.
Wondo getting the record in his signature style – that was one of the most Wondo goals ever!
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Congrats on the record Chris!!! You’ve earned it!
and the stadium was more than half empty too.
When playoff goals are counted, Donovan is still far ahead of Wondo. and playoff goals are more important.
Breaks the all-time goal scoring record and breaks it in style …..”first player to score four goals in a match since September 23, 2017″?!!!!!!!! CONGRATULATION WONDOLOWSKI 148??…..for your determination, durability, motivation and tireless work ethnic (even tho you do not get the respect you deserve).
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If anything represents the good and bad of MLS, it’s the current co-holders of the all-time goal-scoring record.
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A mercurial talent who struggled with motivation and failed to reach the heights he should have, and an overachiever w/longevity from a tiny college who had to scrap for his place, but despite all that hard work never procured a regular spot abroad or in the national team.
*current and former holders….had copied + pasted from an earlier tweet before CW scored three more times