The Quakes are 3 points closer to the Supporters’ Shield and Wondo is 3 goals closer to Roy Lassiter’s league record of 27 goals in a single season. Oh, and one more thing–tonight he broke the franchise record for all-time goals scored. Guys. This is big. This is history in the making.
Those Rapids’ fans who braved the below-freezing temperatures at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park may not have been happy about it in the moment, but in the years to come they may be able to say that they witnessed Chris Wondolowski score goals 23, 24, and 25 en route to breaking a 16 year-old league record.
Having already been eliminated from the playoffs, Colorado coach Oscar Pareja decided to rest a few of his usual starters who have been struggling with injuries. San Jose, on the other hand, despite having long ago clinched their playoff spot, rolled out the big guns as they continued their pursuit of the Supporters’ Shield (and Total League Domination).
Well, the proof is in the pudding–er, the scoreline. San Jose’s Marvin Chavez scored in the 2nd minute, assisted by none other than Chris Wondolowski himself. Chavez returned the favor in the 11th minute, as he and Alan Gordon provided assists on Wondo’s first goal of the night. Wondo added his second in the 51st minute with an easily slotted ball that took a deflection off Rapids’ defender Drew Moor. He rounded out his hat trick in the 83rd minute off an assist from Sam Cronin.
The only event to mar the night was the red card shown to Quakes’ defender Jason Hernandez for a challenge from behind in the box, and the subsequent penalty converted by Colorado’s Andre Akpan. San Jose will have to do without Hernandez as they face the LA Galaxy on October 21; fortunately, center back Victor Bernardez should be back in the lineup after having sat out this game due to yellow card accumulation.
The Earthquakes now have 2 weeks to rest up and prepare for their final regular season home game. While there are pros and cons to having a bye week this late in the season, the team will no doubt take this time to ensure they are physically and mentally ready to crush and destroy defeat LA.
Image courtesy of mlssoccer.com
