SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that they have signed 2010 Major League Soccer Budweiser Golden Boot winner and team most valuable player Chris Wondolowski to a new contract. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Chris had a breakout 2010 season and was a big part of our return to the playoffs,” said General Manager of Soccer Operations John Doyle. "We felt he deserved to be rewarded for his contributions and we are looking forward to him having another great year in 2011.”
Wondolowski claimed the Budweiser Golden Boot, awarded to the top goal scorer at the end of the MLS regular season, by notching a record 18 goals last season. Behind his prolific scoring, the Earthquakes made their first playoff appearance since the team rejoined MLS in 2008. He also scored nine-game winning goals to equal the all-time MLS record for a single season.
“I’m thrilled to sign a new contract with the Earthquakes and continue playing with my hometown team,” said Wondolowski. “I really look forward to getting started in 2011 and building on last year’s success. We have a great team here and we want to compete for a championship this year.”
The Danville native accounted for 52.9 percent (18 of 34) of the Earthquakes’ goals in 2010, the second-highest percentage all-time in MLS history. Only Carlos Ruiz had a higher percentage when he scored 24 of his team’s 44 goals (54.5%) in 2002. Wondolowski also owns the third-highest scoring percentage in MLS history for a single season, scoring 25 goals on 111 shots (22.5%).
From Sept. 15 to Oct. 23, he scored all 10 of the Earthquakes goals, setting the all-time MLS record for the most consecutive goals scored by one player. He passed Ruiz, who scored nine straight for the Galaxy from 2002-2003.
His club-record 18 goals surpassed Ronald Cerritos’ team record of 15 goals, achieved in 1999. On Oct. 20 against Chivas USA, Wondolowski notched his second hat trick of the season, tying Cerritos’ record on the first goal and surpassing it on the second goal. With 21 goals in his career in San Jose, Wondolowski is tied with Eric Wynalda for fifth place on the club’s all-time goals scored list. Additionally, Wondolowski is first all-time in team history in goals-per-game with 21 in 44 played for an average of 0.48.
Wondolowski’s nine game-winning goals last year surpassed the previous club record of six in a single season and tied the MLS single-season record set by Ruiz, who achieved the feat for the Galaxy in 2002. Finally, with ten game-winning goals in his career with the Earthquakes, Wondolowksi is tied with Landon Donovan for second place on the club’s all-time game-winning goals list.
Transaction: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) – San Jose Earthquakes sign F Chris Wondolowski to a new contract.
