San Jose Earthquakes: Pride in Home Grown Talent

Avaya Stadium is the cutting edge of European-style soccer stadiums and serves as the continuing growth of Major League Soccer across the United States. The San Jose Earthquakes state of the art facility finally gives the club a permanent home where supporters can cheer loudly for the team and a home grown player who exemplifies Bay Area pride.

Athletes getting an opportunity to play for the hometown team brings special feelings and emotions. Wearing a uniform as fan is a different experience from wearing a uniform to play professionally. Upon stepping onto the pitch, field, or rink, the hometown athlete will want to do everything possible to give the home crowd something to cheer for. An athlete’s persistence to not give up fuels the ambitions to succeed.

Pressure does exist among the hometown athletes however. Sometimes moving to another team can be the best option to the dismay of fans wearing the jersey of the player. Those who remain or eventually return home embrace the fans and understand the backing from them ultimately makes the athlete a better human being.

Chris Wondolowski is one of few stars who have an opportunity to showcase their skills locally as a Bay Area native. The Earthquakes forward from Danville, California was originally drafted by the team in 2005 before the franchise relocated to Houston. He never got a footing after the move and his career seemed lost. A second chance came in 2009 through a trade sent him back to the expansion San Jose team, where he has flourished since returning.

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Wondolowski has heart, guts, and determination. He understands what an MLS Cup would mean to the Bay Area and soccer fans that have supported San Jose since the humble beginnings of the San Jose Clash. He exemplifies Bay Area sports by always giving his best and wanting to put his team in situations to win games.

No doubt a sense of Bay Area pride was felt in Brazil when Wondolowski represented the United States in the 2014 World Cup. Though he may have missed a defining moment in the Round of 16 against Belgium his maturity and professionalism guided him back to his fans in the Bay Area where he would be supported no matter the outcome. He has been the staple of the Earthquakes since returning and his success has grown the sport of soccer in the Bay Area.

With the season in full swing, Wondolowski finds himself having to pace the Earthquakes’ offense once again. A player who scored 27 goals during the 2012 season, earning him the franchise’s first MLS MVP award, Wondolowski is tasked to constantly find the back of the net. The team currently sits in eighth place in the Western Conference with 25 points, four back of the sixth spot to make the playoffs. A recent 2-1 victory at Avaya over Toronto FC gave the Earthquakes three valuable points but don’t expect another miracle win with only nine men on the pitch.

The Quakes captain will also need to step up his game, only scoring seven goals in fifteen games played.

Since returning as an expansion franchise, the Earthquakes have done the impossible in moments where opponents need to play the full 90 minutes. In many occasions, goals have come in the late stages of a game by the Earthquakes. The goals either earn a draw or win in the dying minutes of stoppage time to send fans into jubilation. Wondolowski and his teammates feed on late game heroics and embrace the never give up attitude which Bay Area fans enjoy.

There’s no doubt that if the Earthquakes appear in the MLS Cup Final, Wondolowski and his teammates wouldn’t want it any other way but a late game winning goal to win the MLS Cup for San Jose. No matter how the goal is scored, the moment will be brilliant.

Next: Earthquakes' Chris Wondolowski named to U.S. Copa America Side

As for Wondolowski, Bay Area pride shines brightly each time he steps onto the pitch. The fire burns bright as he lurks in the offensive zone seeking another goal to celebrate. His passion, class, and dedication make him the perfect role model for future Bay Area soccer players.

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