June 9, 2009

Get tickets to see Chris Wondolowski with the Quakes.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The San Jose Earthquakes announced that the team has acquired forward and Diablo FC club alumnus Chris Wondolowski plus a conditional draft pick in the 2010 SuperDraft from the Houston Dynamo in exchange for forward Cam Weaver. Wondolowski returns to the team that originally drafted him in 2005 out of Chico State.

"We are happy to bring Chris back home to the Bay Area," said General Manager of Soccer Operations John Doyle. "He is a hard-worker who we think can make a positive impact for us. He understands the game well and should fit in nicely with our team."

Wondolowski is in his fourth year with the Dynamo after starting his career with the Earthquakes in 2005. For the Dynamo, he played in 37 games and scored four goals and notched two assists, helping them win MLS Cup Championships in 2006 and 2007. In 2008, he scored three goals in international competitions and helped the Dynamo reach the final of the SuperLiga tournament. This season, Wondolowski has scored two goals, including a goal against the Earthquakes on March 28.

A native of Danville, Wondolowski was drafted by the Earthquakes in the 2005 MLS Supplemental Draft and spent the 2005 season with the team, helping them win the Supporter`s Shield. He appeared in two games in the regular season for the Quakes. He also played in all 12 reserve league matches and led the team in scoring with eight goals.Wondolowski played college soccer at Chico State, where was named an All-American after helping the team reach the 2003 NCAA Division II championship game. As a youth player, he played for both Mustang and DVSC Renegades in the East Bay. He also starred at De La Salle High School playing for Diablo FC Technical Director Marquis White. He was joined by brother Stephen Wondolowski, another club alumnus, for two years on the Dynamo.
When Wondolowski slid in at the back post May 16 to tap in Corey Ashe`s low cross, the Houston Dynamo forward figured he had just scored the game-winning goal for his team against the New York Red Bulls at Giants Stadium. Little did Wondolowski know that he also just reached a Major League Soccer milestone.

Wondolowski`s 78th-minute strike was his second MLS goal of the year, but also the 7,000th goal scored in regular season play in the league`s 14-year history.

"I’ll take that, that`s awesome," Wondolowski said. "I did not know that. That`s really cool. I guess I made my way into the record book."