Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Full name | Christopher Elliott Wondolowski[1] | |||||||||||||||||||
Date of birth | January 28, 1983 | |||||||||||||||||||
Place of birth | Danville, California, United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | |||||||||||||||||||
Position(s) | Forward | |||||||||||||||||||
College career | ||||||||||||||||||||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||
2001–2004 | Chico State Wildcats | 84 | (39) | |||||||||||||||||
Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||
2004 | Chico Rooks | 16 | (17) | |||||||||||||||||
2005 | San Jose Earthquakes | 2 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||
2006–2009 | Houston Dynamo | 37 | (4) | |||||||||||||||||
2009–2021 | San Jose Earthquakes | 374 | (167) | |||||||||||||||||
Total | 429 | (188) | ||||||||||||||||||
International career | ||||||||||||||||||||
2011–2016 | United States | 35 | (11) | |||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Christopher Elliott Wondolowski (born January 28, 1983) is an American former professional soccer player who played as a forward. He was MLS's top scorer in the 2010 and 2012 seasons, also being named the 2012 Most Valuable Player, and was one of the top strikers during his time playing in Major League Soccer.[2] With 171 goals in Major League Soccer, he is the highest scorer in the competition's history, as well as the only player in league history to score 150 or more regular-season goals.[3]
A college soccer player for the Chico State Wildcats, he played in 2004 for the Chico Rooks and was drafted to the San Jose Earthquakes in 2005. The team became the Houston Dynamo the following season, and he played a part in their MLS Cup wins in 2006 and 2007 before returning to the re-established Earthquakes in 2009. As of September 28, 2019, Wondolowski is also the only player in league history to have scored ten or more goals in ten consecutive seasons.[4] He also holds the record for most MLS goals on the road[5] and MLS game winning goals (both home and away). On November 7, 2021, after a 1–1 draw against FC Dallas, Wondolowski announced his retirement from professional soccer. His scoring ability and playing style made him well known as a poacher.
A full international between 2011 and 2016, Wondolowski represented the United States at three CONCACAF Gold Cups – winning the 2013 edition – and also played at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.