SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski was voted the Alcatel MLS Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for the 33rd week of the 2017 MLS season.
With a goal and late game-winning assist at Avaya Stadium on Sunday, Wondolowski’s heroic effort led to a 3-2 comeback victory over Minnesota United FC, which helped secure San Jose’s spot in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs. The U.S. Men’s National Team forward scored 13 goals and added a career-high eight assists this season, setting an MLS record with eight consecutive seasons of 10 or more finishes. Wondolowski is tied for second all-time in MLS history with 134 goals scored, helping San Jose return to the playoffs for the first time since 2012 with a sixth-place finish in the Western Conference (46 points, 13-14-7 overall record).
Needing a win to secure their playoff bid, the Quakes received a boost in the 55th minute when Danny Hoesen crossed a ball into the middle of the six-yard box. Wondolowski received the pass and easily slotted a shot past Minnesota goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth to give San Jose a 2-1 advantage (Watch Goal).
Minnesota equalized once again, setting the scoreline at 2-2 in the 81st minute. With the Quakes playoff lives on the line, Quincy Amarikwa blasted a shot to the near post, where it was deflected across the goal for Wondolowski to play a perfect square ball into Marco Ureña for a one-touch game-winner in the 93rd minute (Watch Assist). Wondolowski’s five game-winning assists were tied for the second most among all MLS players this season.
The San Jose Earthquakes will play in the Knockout Round of the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs on Wednesday, October 25 when taking on Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place (7:30 p.m. PT, UniMás, TSN1/3/4/5/TVAS2).
The MLS Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season by a panel of journalists from NASR. The group consists of members of print, television, radio and online media.
