SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that they have signed two-time MLS leading goal scorer Chris Wondolowski to a new contract. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Chris has been a key member of the club over the past two seasons and we wanted to reward him for his success. Both on and off the field, he has distinguished himself as a true professional and we’re excited to have him in the organization,” said General Manager of Soccer Operations John Doyle.
The Danville native has led the league in goals scored for two straight years. In 2011, he tallied eight times in the Quakes’ final nine games to tie Dwayne De Rosario atop the MLS goals list. He also recorded a career-high three assists. His efforts paid off with a number of postseason awards, including a spot on the MLS Best XI and the inaugural Castrol Index Player of the Year award, a system that utilizes data collected during the course of the season to measure player values. Wondolowski earned a rating of 9.31 out of 10, edging out Seattle’s Alvaro Fernandez and New York’s Thierry Henry, the next two on the list.
“I’m grateful to the organization for giving me a new contract for a second straight year and look forward to helping the Earthquakes get back to the MLS Cup Playoffs. I think we have a great team heading into this season and I know I’m looking forward to that home opener on March 10 against New England,” Wondolowski said.
Wondolowski is just the third player in MLS history to lead or tie for the league lead in goals in consecutive seasons, joining Stern John (Columbus Crew) and Carlos Ruiz (LA Galaxy). In 2010, he scored 10 straight goals for the Earthquakes over the final month of the season to finish with 18 markers and the Budweiser Golden Boot.
Away from his club, Wondolowski also picked up five caps for the U.S. national team in 2011. He played in friendlies against Chile and Spain and suited up in three group stage games at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. More recently, Wondolowski spent January in camp with the U.S. national team and picked up two more caps after seeing time in friendlies against Venezuela and Panama.
In addition to his success on the field, Wondolowski received the Andrew Bedard Memorial Spirit of the Game Award from Soccer Silicon Valley Community Foundation and the Earthquakes in 2011. The honor is given at the end of each MLS season to an Earthquakes player who takes a prominent, active role in the community while exemplifying the positive attitude of the late Andrew Bedard.
Transaction: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) – San Jose Earthquakes sign F Chris Wondolowski to a new contract.
