SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski was named MLS Player of the Month for September by members of the North American Soccer Reporters on Thursday, the fifth time he has won the award in his career and third time this season.
The MVP frontrunner is the first player in league history to receive the honor three times in the same season after winning the award in April and June. Only four other players have earned Player of the Month recognition multiple times in the same season – Clint Mathis (2000), Carlos Ruiz (2002), Landon Donovan (2003) and Juan Pablo Angel (2007).
Wondolowski scored four goals and had two assists in five games during September. His contributions helped the Supporters’ Shield leaders to an unbeaten 3-0-2 record for the month. He scored game winners against Chivas USA on Sept. 15 and Seattle Sounders FC on Sept. 23 to set a new MLS record for game-winning goals in a single season with 11. Wondolowski also came off the bench to rally the Earthquakes from a two-goal deficit against the Portland Timbers on Sept. 19, scoring twice in a 2-2 draw.
The Earthquakes (18-6-7, 61 pts.) hold a three-point lead over Sporting Kansas City (17-7-7, 58 pts.) for the Supporters’ Shield and need just one point to clinch the top seed in the Western Conference. The club is back in action on Saturday against the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (6 p.m. PT / CSN California).
The Major League Soccer Player of the Week and Month honors are selected during the MLS regular season by a panel of journalists from The North American Soccer Reporters (NASR). The group consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. More information and membership information can be found at www.soccerreporters.com.
