San Jose Earthquakes star Chris Wondolowski has four matches to rewrite history. With 22 goals so far -- the most scored by an MLSers since 2002 -- he is five behind Roy Lassiter's 16-year-old single-season goal-scoring record.
Breaking that record, or even matching it, is a tall order as the pressure mounts and teams continue to key on him. Here's what Wondo will be up against in San Jose's final four regular-season games:
vs. FC Dallas (Saturday, Sept. 29 @ 10:30 pm ET)
FCD have the best defense of the four teams left on the Earthquakes' schedule (1.27 GAA). They have conceded only four goals in their last four road matches.
Dallas are also the only Western Conference team that Wondo hasn't scored against this year, in two meetings. And it's not just this year that Wondo has struggled against Dallas: In four home matches played against them as a member of the Earthquakes, he has just one goal.
@ Colorado Rapids (Saturday, Oct. 6 @ 9 pm ET)
Although the mile-high altitude may affect some athletes, Wondolowski has enjoyed success in Colorado with three goals in five career matches played at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The latest strike came in June in a 2-1 road win.
But the Rapids are fairly stingy at home with just 14 goals given up in their 14 matches at DSG. They've only conceded one goal in three matches played at home since August.
vs. LA Galaxy (Sunday, Oct. 21 @ 7 pm ET)
The good news for Wondo is that this edition of the California Clasico will be played in San Jose, where the Quakes forward has a goal in each of his two previous regular-season meetings with LA (Aug. 21, 2010 and June 30, 2012).
However, those are the only two goals he's ever scored in seven career games against LA. And the Galaxy have tightened it up in the back of late, posting four shutouts in their last five league matches.
@ Portland Timbers (Saturday, Oct. 27 @ 6:30 pm ET)
Wondolowski has never scored at JELD-WEN Field, despite going the full 90 minutes in two matches there since the Timbers joined the league. In fact, he has posted only a single shot on goal in his 180 minutes played in Portland.
But Wondo should have plenty of optimism. He notched two goals against the Timbers in San Jose one week ago. And Portland are leaking goals, having conceded 25 in the 12 league matches since interim manager Gavin Wilkinson took over.
