Wondolowski's Hat Trick Lifts Earthquakes Over Chivas USA
SANTA CLARA (AP) -- Chris Wondolowski scored a second-half hat trick to establish a single-season franchise record for goals and lead the Earthquakes to a 3-0 victory against visiting Chivas USA on Wednesday night.
It was the second hat trick this season for Wondolowski, who moved into a tie for the league-lead with Los Angeles' Edson Buddle at 17 goals.
Wondolowski passed Ronald Cerritos' team mark of 15 goals, set in 1999. He now has San Jose's last nine goals, matching the league record set by the Galaxy's Carlos Ruiz from August 2002 to April 2003.
It was the first time San Jose beat Chivas USA since being reestablished in 2008. The Earthquakes had gone 0-4-2 against Chivas before Wednesday.
Wondolowski drew a penalty kick in the 55th minute and converted by going low and to the right of rookie goalkeeper Kevin Guppy, who was making his MLS debut. Wondolowski struck four minutes later from 13 yards out, taking a pass from Eduardo and again going low to Guppy's right. He finished the hat trick off in the 72nd minute, carefully tucking a volley of Ryan Johnson's cross inside the far post from 8 yards out.
San Jose, in the middle of a fatiguing stretch of three matches in eight days, benched eight of its regular starters for the contest, including Wondolowski. But forward Cornell Glen strained his left hamstring in the 40th minute, and had to come off, prompting coach Frank Yallop to insert Wondolowski.
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