A comment from Alexi Lalas inspired San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski that he could play in the MLS. But it wasn’t words of encouragement but rather a disparaging remark that proved a turning point in his career.
In 2010 Wondolowski was in his fifth professional season but had only established himself as a starter that year, scoring 18 goals in 26 matches to help the Earthquakes make the MLS playoffs.
Wondo’s ‘break out’ 2010 season
That year San Jose was facing off against the heavily favored New York Red Bulls club, who behind World Cup winner Thierry Henry had won the MLS Eastern Division.
After losing the first game of their playoff series to New York at Santa Clara 1-0, the Quakes traveled to Red Bulls Stadium for the second game. San Jose won that game 3-1 to win the series on the aggregate, thanks to a late Wondo goal to give the Quakes the surprise upset.
During Wondo’s retirement press conference, the MLS all-time leading goal scorer reflected on his sixteen-year career said that moment Lalas called him out, and the goal he scored was the moment he knew he could perform in the league.
“Alexi Lalas thought I was just going to be ‘a flash in the pan’ at halftime, so that was one of those things that solidified in my mind that I can do it at this stage,” Wondolowski, who was the Golden Boot winner that year, recounted.
After reporter Charles Boehm tweeted about Wondo’s response and tagged Lalas, he shortly responded with a one-liner: “He’s welcome.”
Wondolowski hung up his cleats for good on Sunday, scoring his 171st and final MLS goal. He leads Landon Donovan by twenty-five goals for the most goals scored by an MLS player.
His next gig with San Jose
At the press conference, Wondolowski announced that he would be taking on a new position with the club as a special assistant to newly announced San Jose Earthquakes General Manager Chris Leitch.
