TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Re-signed
One more year: Chris Wondolowski is returning to the San Jose Earthquakes for 2020, the club announced Tuesday. The league's all-time leading scorer isn't ready to hang up his cleats just yet.
"I'm not done yet," Wondo said in a video released by the team.
Wondolowski, who turns 37 before the 2020 season, had another successful season for the Quakes in 2019, scoring 15 goals in 32 appearances (24 starts). The total was his highest since 2016 despite playing fewer than 2,000 minutes for the first time since 2009.
“I’m very excited to be back for one more year,” Wondolowski said in a statement. “Knowing how much fun it is in the locker room, the team unity that we have and where this team is going, I wanted to be a part of it. I love this game. I love going out to practice. We’re a family. Even right now, it’s nice to have a couple days off, but I’m ready to get started again. When I do decide to step away from the game, my goal is to remain a part of the Earthquakes organization and help the team any way I can.”
The legend broke Landon Donovan's all-time scoring record in May, exploding for four goals against the Chicago Fire. He currently has 159 career MLS goals.
“It’s impossible to fully explain all the ways Chris is devoted to this club,” Quakes GM Jesse Fioranelli said. “He truly embraces a bigger cause, well beyond the goals he scores and the records he breaks. Wondo has an unparalleled love for the game and the Quakes organization as a whole and this is a great day for our fans and our club.”
Under new head coach Matias Almeyda, Wondolowski was re-energized. Though the Quakes ultimately failed to make the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs, they took a huge step forward after finishing bottom of MLS in 2018. Expectations are high for Almeyda's second year in charge and Wondo will be around to help.
