Wondolowski’s hat trick sends San Jose to 3-2 win over Toronto FC
By APSaturday, September 25, 2010
San Jose edges Toronto FC 3-2
TORONTO — Chris Wondolowski had a hat trick to lead the San Jose Earthquakes to a 3-2 victory over Toronto FC on Saturday.
Dwayne De Rosario and Maicon Santos scored for Toronto (8-10-8), which hurt its playoff hopes with the loss to San Jose (11-7-6).
Toronto FC cost itself early, giving up a goal in just the third minute on a penalty shot — awarded when Dan Gargan took down Bobby Convey in the 18-yard box — and spent the rest of the game trying to battle back from the early game mistake.
Wondolowski sent his penalty shot past Toronto goalkeeper Stefan Frei to the left corner.
The Earthquakes midfielder notched his second of the game in the 53rd minute, sprinting through Toronto’s back line to connect on a cross from Ryan Johnson.
De Rosario put Toronto back in the match, chipping in a shot from just outside the 18-yard box into the top-right corner past Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch.
But just a minute later, Wondolowski scored to give the Earthquakes a 3-1 lead.
Santos scored in the 80th minute, sprinting onto a cross from Mista and tapping in a left-footed shot right in front of the net.
Toronto kept the pressure on the Earthquakes in the final few moments, and Jacob Peterson had the chance to tie the game in the 90th minute. But the Toronto midfielder sent his shot sailing over the net, collapsing on his knees in frustration as the crowd groaned.
Toronto was fortunate to trail by only a goal at halftime — the score could have been more lopsided if not for a couple of spectacular saves by Frei. Wondolowski nearly notched his second goal of the game in the 25th minute, but the Toronto goalkeeper stretched to tip the ball over the crossbar. Frei had another outstanding save just before halftime, managing to get his hand on a free kick from Geovanni that seemed destined for the left corner of the net.
NOTES:Toronto was missing Martin Saric (hamstring) and Joseph Nane (ankle), injured in Tuesday’s game against Cruz Azul. … Toronto hosts Real Salt Lake on Tuesday in a CONCACAF Champions League matchup.
