Chris Wondolowski announced ahead of the 2020 season that this would be his last in MLS. But when asked by Taylor Twellman on the latest Banter episode, the San Jose Earthquakes striker left the door open to continuing his playing career.
“I was pretty set on this being my last year,” Wondolowski said from the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando. “I want to put everything I have into this being my last year, but I can honestly say I am going to reevaluate at the end.
“I didn’t think I was going to do that at the beginning of this year, and even four months ago I don’t think I was going to reevaluate, but just right now, yeah, I think I might reevaluate at the end. But I’m pretty content with this being my last year, I do want to say that.”
The 37-year-old seems content with his overall decision, but the COVID-19 pandemic and four-month stoppage has changed his outlook somewhat. Instead of being halfway through his 16th and final MLS campaign, Wondolowski is five games into it ahead of Monday’s Round of 16 clash against Real Salt Lake (8:30 pm ET | FS1, FOX Deportes in US; TSN, TVAS in Canada).
Either way, Wondolowski continues to bang home the goals for San Jose. He’s scored twice in back-to-back games, coming off the bench in all five appearances this season to total 101 minutes played. The MLS veteran has increased his lead atop the all-time goals chart, too, since he’s now at 161. The closest active player is Colorado Rapids forward Kei Kamara, who’s at 128.
Asked about how he’s still thriving in his late 30s, Wondolowski had a simple answer.
“Enjoying it. This whole pandemic makes you kind of think for a little bit, and there was a time where I was dying just to want to be at practice and now I get to play a game,” Wondolowski said “Definitely being at this point in my career, I’m just kind of relishing every minute I get out there. It is pretty fun, it’s a fun group as well."
