SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes today announced their 2017 club award winners, which includes forward Chris Wondolowski for Most Valuable Player, defender/midfielder Florian Jungwirth for Defensive Player of the Year and midfielder Tommy Thompson for the Andrew Bedard Spirit of the Game Award/Humanitarian of the Year. These awards recognize players that have made a positive impact at the Quakes, both on and off the pitch.
The Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year winners were selected by a vote with the local media, players and technical staff each receiving a one-third weight. The Earthquakes community relations department selected the winner of the Andrew Bedard Spirit of the Game Award/Humanitarian of the Year based on contributions throughout the season.
San Jose Earthquakes captain Chris Wondolowski has claimed his seventh overall and fourth consecutive Team MVP award (2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016). With the regular season coming to an end today, Wondolowski leads the Quakes with 12 goals and seven assists in 33 games this season. This marks the Danville native’s eighth consecutive 10-goal season and he is now tied for third in all-time MLS goal scoring (133). Wondolowski has also surpassed club legend Ramiro Corrales for all-time appearances in a Quakes uniform, having made 255 to date.
In his first season with the San Jose, Florian Jungwirth has quickly cemented himself as a leader and vital asset for the club. Jungwirth has played in 29 games, tallying two goals and two assists. He has earned Team of the Week honors twice, in Weeks 1 and 10, and has played the second most minutes for the club this season (2,510).
Midfielder Tommy Thompson has earned the Andrew Bedard Spirt of the Game Award. In 2017, Thompson has been an active member for flood relief efforts in San Jose, spending time in shelters, helping unload care packages and passing out jackets and blankets for families in need. Additionally, Thompson was involved in the community initiative ‘Get Earthquakes Fit’ presented by Sutter Health, a five-week program which promotes living a healthy lifestyle among students at local schools. He also lead a Football & Futbol clinic for children to learn from professional MLS and NFL athletes. The clinic raises awareness for the Ubuntu Football Academy in South Africa. These events are few of many the 22-year-old graciously participated in. The award is named for Andrew Bedard, a young Earthquakes fan who passed away at eight years old in 2004. The Andrew Bedard Spirit of the Game Award will be presented annually to the Earthquakes player that works hard in the community and best embodies Andrew’s positive attitude both on and off the field. For more information on the Andrew Bedard Spirit of the Game Award, please visit www.sjearthquakes.com/spiritofthegame/award.
