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Dynamo-Earthquakes Preview

Oct 15, 2010 - 2:50 PM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Houston (7-15-6) at San Jose (12-8-7), 10:00 p.m. EDT

Chris Wondolowski's stunning breakout season may culminate in MLS MVP honors. It's already put the San Jose Earthquakes back in the playoffs.

Wondolowski has his sights set on the Earthquakes' single-season scoring record as they host the struggling Houston Dynamo on Saturday night.

Wondolowski has scored a career-high 14 goals - twice as many as his total from the previous six seasons with San Jose (12-8-7) and Houston. The forward is second in the league in scoring, two goals shy of Los Angeles' Edson Buddle.

He's also gained momentum as a viable MVP candidate after scoring twice in a 10-minute span during a 2-0 win over D.C. United last Saturday, helping to clinch the Earthquakes' first playoff spot since being reformed in 2008.

"I said it before and I'll say it again, there are some good players in the league, but to go from where Wondolowski has come to be where he is now is outstanding," coach Frank Yallop said. "Hopefully he'll be in there - I know that I'd vote for him."

Wondolowski needs one more game-winning goal to match the league record of nine, set by Carlos Ruiz with the Galaxy in 2002. Any goal would tie the Earthquakes' single-season scoring record, set by Ronald Cerritos in 1999.

"That would be a huge honor because there have been some brilliant strikers like Ronald Cerritos and Brian Ching, just to name a few," Wondolowski told the Earthquakes' official website. "I'm honored to be in that list, and I'm hoping to maybe break it because I've been a San Jose fan my whole life growing up in the Bay Area."

With three regular-season games remaining and a playoff spot assured, however, Wondolowski's playing time may be limited in order to focus on a bigger prize.

"I always want to be out there," Wondolowski said. "If (Yallop) says it's best for the team to not go, I have no problem with that and won't say anything to him or argue with him. The individual awards would be great, but ultimately, the one award I want to get is that championship ring."

Wondolowski was held without a goal during a 2-1 win at Houston on Sept. 5.

The Dynamo (7-15-6) have already been eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since relocating from San Jose in 2006.

Houston, 1-5-1 in its last seven, was booed off the field by home fans after defensive miscues led to Sunday's 2-1 loss to New England. The game was also marred by red cards to forward Joseph Ngwenya and midfielder Geoff Cameron in injury time, leaving the duo suspended Saturday.

The Dynamo may also be without Ching, the team leader with seven goals, for a second consecutive game due to a knee injury.

Dominic Oduro will try to continue his hot stretch. The forward has three goals in four games after getting two in the previous 21.