Wondo: the 2010 & 2012 MLS Golden Boot Winner, the 2012 MLS MVP, the highest goal scorer among active players, a U.S. Men’s National Team and World Cup veteran, a double-digit goal scorer for six consecutive seasons. With just a week before the start of the regular season, a question many San Jose Earthquakes fans might need to start asking themselves: Where’s Wondo?
In eight preseason games, including friendlies against the lowly East Bay Stompers FC, Sonoma County Sol, and San Francisco City FC, the Earthquakes captain and leading goal scorer Chris Wondolowski has yet to score a goal all preseason. The only point he has scored is an assist in January versus Stompers FC. He even failed to score against the Quakes U-18 academy, having his PK shot blocked by U-16 ‘keeper Dominic Peters.
All other healthy Quakes forwards have scored multiple times in their opportunities. Quincy Amarikwa netted a brace against Sacramento and a goal versus Sonoma County Sol, Chad Barrett had a goal and four assists versus Stompers FC. Mark Sherrod scored a brace versus SFCFC and netted the only goal versus Seongnam FC. Tommy Thompson had goals against Stompers FC and SFCFC. Even Adam Jahn had three goals versus Stompers FC, a goal versus San Francisco City FC, and a goal versus Sonoma County Sol. Every Quakes forward is finding the net except the most their most prolific scorer.
Should fans be worried? Maybe. Wondo did not have the most productive 2015 preseason and still scored 16 goals. Also, if Wondo has proven anything, it’s that he’s no flash-in-the-pan player, but a consistent goal scorer. However, the target on his back combined with his age (33) may be leading up to a disappointing 2016.
Excuses abound. It’s preseason. It’s only been one month. Players do not see the same minutes, are a little rusty, need to build up to match fitness, and getting into a scoring rhythm is a process that takes time. Yet the concern should be there: 0 goals and 1 assist over eight games. But even the Quakes captain would be the first to say that excuses are no excuse.
The Quakes have one last preseason tune-up on Saturday versus the New York Cosmos. I would expect Wondo not only to be in the starting lineup, but hungry to do what he does best: score. While is spot in the starting lineup is not in jeopardy, don’t expect too long a leash from Head Coach Dom Kinnear (who is on his own hot seat) if the scoring drought continues.
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