Football
2019 Major League Soccer, Regular Season
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Reuters 5y

Wondolowski makes history as Earthquakes top Fire

San Jose forward Chris Wondolowski set the Major League Soccer record for regular season goals with his second of the match, then added two more for good measure when the Earthquakes defeated the Chicago Fire 4-1 at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday. 

He scored in the 21st, 48th, 74th and 76th minutes for a 4-0 lead to give him 148 goals in 338 matches. Landon Donovan, who played for San Jose from 2001-04 before finishing his career with the Los Angeles Galaxy, had 145 goals in 340 games.

The Earthquakes (4-6-2) have three wins and two ties in the past six matches.

- Carlisle: How Wondo broke MLS' all-time goals record

Chicago (4-5-4), which got a goal by Aleksandar Katai in the 83rd minute, entered with three consecutive shutouts but Wondolowski shredded the Fire for his first four-goal game of his career. He had not scored this season in his previous 10 matches (four starts).

On his first goal to tie the record, he used his outstretched right leg to nudge a pass from Shea Salinas past goalkeeper David Ousted.

The goal ended the Fire's shutout streak at 298 minutes.

He broke the record when Cristian Espinoza sent a free kick into the box. Ousted had the shot slip out of his hands on the rainy afternoon, and Wondolowski was there to poke the ball in with his left foot from 4 yards.

Wondolowski made it 3-0 by finishing a run Espinoza started. Espinoza was pulled down outside the penalty area by Marcelo but play continued and Wondolowski cleaned up the loose ball.

He completed his scoring with a slotted ball shot from the top of the box after a pass from Jackson Yueill.

Wondolowski was substituted to a standing ovation in the first minute of stoppage time as a congratulatory message from Donovan was shown on the video board.

The Fire hosts New York City FC on May 26. The Earthquakes play at Toronto FC on May 26.

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