MLS San Jose Earthquakes

Wondolowski Scores Twice as Earthquakes Draw Portland Timbers 3-3 at Providence Park

September 7, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Chris Wondolowski continued his hot form, scoring twice and recording an assist to help the Earthquakes to a 3-3 draw against the Portland Timbers on Sunday at Providence Park.

The Earthquakes held leads of 2-0 and 3-2 at different points in the match, but their hosts displayed a gritty performance, rallying to close the match with a draw. Wondolowski was the key ingredient for San Jose, racking up his seventh goal and fifth assist since returning from United States Men's National Team duty for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Wondolowski gave the Quakes an advantage early after scrappy play across the field. Salinas dashed into the box and ripped a shot that goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts blocked back into the mix. Cordell Cato was next from close range, but a Portland defender blocked his attempt. Salinas found the ball again and fired, only to watch his shot hit the post. Wondolowski finally capped the action with a calmly slotted shot from the middle of the box.

The Earthquakes settled in after the goal and had a golden chance to up their lead in the 40th minute. Salinas threaded a nifty pass on the ground between Portland's defenders and straight to the feet of Sam Cronin. Cronin one-timed his shot, but it rose just high of the near corner.

Two minutes later, San Jose was knocking on the doorstep once again. This time, Jordan Stewart got free on the wing, sending a teasing cross in front of the goal line. Wondolowski was on site, but couldn't connect with the pass.

Cordell Cato finally extended the Earthquakes' lead three minutes into the second half. Cato came flying down the near sideline and found Wondolowski open near the edge of the box. Wondolowski laid it off for Cato and the Trinidadian didn't waste his chance, curling a shot past Ricketts for his third goal of the season.

Alvas Powell began Portland's comeback in the 54th minute. Powell ran onto a chipped pass from Diego Valeri, kept possession in traffic and then poked a shot off the far post and in from a narrow angle near the end line.

Liam Ridgewell knotted the game 20 minutes later. Valeri was the creator again, this time sending a cross to the far post that Ridgewell polished off from point-blank range for his second goal in a Timbers uniform.

The scoring wasn't finished, though. Wondolowski regained the lead for the Quakes in the 85th minute with a header from eight yards out. Salinas located Wondo open in the box and sent a pinpoint cross in to record his eighth assist of the season. Meanwhile, Wondolowski's brace gave him 12 goals in 2014 and 15 multi-goal games in his career.

One minute later, the Timbers drew level again with a goal from Kalif Alhassan. Powell and Valeri combined to create the chance, freeing Alhassan for the equalizer.

The Earthquakes continue their Pacific Northwest road trip on Wednesday, Sept. 10 at Vancouver Whitecaps FC's BC Place. Kickoff is 7 p.m. PT on Comcast SportsNet Plus, 1590 KLIV and 1370 KZSF.

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