TUCSON, Ariz. – San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski is back with San Jose and focused on another campaign with his hometown team.
Wondolowski arrived in Arizona late Wednesday night and participated in his first training session with the team Thursday morning. He was given a few extra days off following a month-long camp with the U.S. national team, but is ready to step back onto the field in San Jose’s scrimmage against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday (11 a.m. MT, Kino Sports Complex).
The two-time MLS leading goalscorer sat down with SJEarthquakes.com to recap his time with the U.S., talk some baseball and add in some details about camp.
SJEarthquakes.com: You spent January training with the U.S. and just arrived in camp on Wednesday. Welcome back and could you tell us a bit about your experience with the U.S.?
Chris Wondolowski: It was a great experience. I’m in great shape now for this upcoming season. We spent a lot of time working on fitness and what it takes to be an elite athlete day in, day out. I learned a lot and it was a great experience.
SJEQ: You knew a few of the guys in this year’s camp. Who was it nice to reconnect with?
CW: I’m going to have to go with a couple guys I played with in Houston. They weren’t with me my first time in January camp, but it was great to see Ricardo Clark and Geoff Cameron this time around. They’re both good buddies, especially Rico, and I don’t get to see him a lot while he’s over in Germany.
SJEQ: Who did you room with during camp?
CW: I got to room with Michael Parkhurst and it was nice getting to know him. To be honest, he’s a great roommate. He’s a really down to earth, chill guy, married with two kids. We watched a lot of movies and it was a good time.
SJEQ: What were the best and worst movies you watched?
CW: The worst was probably 50-50 because we didn’t get through it the two times we tried to watch it. I’m going to go with Moneyball for the best.
SJEQ: How would you compare your January camp experiences from 2011 vs. 2012?
CW: They were two different experiences, but I learned a lot from both. This time around, I was under a new coach so I had some butterflies in my stomach and wanted to try and impress him, but overall I still felt more comfortable this time around.
SJEQ: What did you take away from U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann?
CW: I learned what he wants, what it takes to be an elite athlete and where he wants U.S. Soccer to be. He wants the U.S. to be the best while playing the best and beating the best. I learned that mentality from him and the little nuances that go into being that player.
SJEQ: After leaving U.S. camp, you were given a few days off by San Jose’s technical staff. Was it nice to have a break and what did you do with your free time?
CW: It was very refreshing. It was just nice to be home. Living in the hotel for a month after moving around a lot during the holidays, it was just nice to go home, see the wife, see the dogs and see my house.
SJEQ: You played a lot of baseball growing up, but you never visited Arizona for Spring Training. Now that we’re here, would you like another crack at throwing out a first pitch after heaving one into the backstop at an Oakland A’s game last year?
CW: (Laughs) Yeah, absolutely. I need some redemption – as much as possible.
SJEQ: Who was your favorite baseball player growing up?
CW: I loved Cal Ripken Jr. for the Baltimore Orioles when I was younger. That was a huge one. I was also a big fan of Jeff Kent when he was with the San Francisco Giants. He was a second baseman and those two played the same positions as me, middle infield.
SJEQ: Is that why you chose the No. 8, because of Ripken Jr.?
CW: No, actually. I didn’t choose No. 8 specifically because of Ripken. I just remember in U-7s, U-8s always being No. 8 so that stuck. When I played baseball, I chose No. 8 because of Ripken, though.
SJEQ: How has it been reintegrating with the boys in San Jose?
CW: It’s been great. They’re such a great group of guys. I’ve been looking forward to seeing them again after the offseason. I definitely miss hanging out with the guys day in, day out during the season in San Jose.
SJEQ: You get your first chance on the field with San Jose in a scrimmage against Sporting KC on Saturday (11 a.m. MT, Kino Sports Complex). Are you anxious to get back out there?
CW: I’m really excited. I want to get out there a play and get the competitive juices flowing again. I think we have a good group. Obviously it’s still early in the preseason and we have a lot of guys who need to see the field and get minutes, so I’m sure we’ll have a bit of a split squad, but it’ll be fun to get back out there.
