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Wondolowski brace lifts San Jose past Toronto

Mar 24, 2012 - 7:19 PM Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Chris Wondolowski continued his good run of form by bagging a brace to help the San Jose Earthquakes claim a 3-0 win over Toronto FC at BMO Field on Saturday.

The 29-year-old netted 18 goals in 2010 and 16 goals in 2011, and he looks to be heading for a similar total in 2012 as his season tally reached 3 goals in 3 games for the 'Quakes.

Shea Salinas also added a goal for San Jose, scoring his first for the club 11 minutes into the second half.

The opener came just nine minutes into the match when Wondolowski lost his mark at the back post to get on the end of a brilliant delivery from Sam Cronin. He nodded the cross past Milos Kocic to get the visitors off to a dream start.

The 'Quakes nearly doubled the lead in the 30th minute following a goalkeeping gaffe from Kocic. The Toronto 'keeper made a hash of long ball into the box, dropping the ball right in front of goal, but several TFC defenders were covering as the ball was promptly cleared to safety.

Toronto brought on Danny Koevermans at the start of the second half in an attempt to nick an equalizing goal, and the home side came close on several occasions in the opening 10 minutes. But San Jose's goal in the 56th minute kept Toronto in check.

Marvin Chavez broke free on the right side of the box and could have gone it alone, but he opted to play a square ball across the top of the box. Salinas rushed onto the pass and smashed a one-time effort that went through traffic on its way past Kocic.

San Jose wrapped up all three points in the 68th minute when Wondolowski completed his brace. Rafael Baca latched on to a through ball on the right side of the box and drew Kocic off his goal line before a sending a cross to the back post. An unmarked Wondolowski settled the ball down before slotting home his third goal of the MLS season.

The win lifts San Jose (2-1-0) to six points through three games, a great start for a club with hopes of a playoff berth in a stacked Western Conference. The Earthquakes will return to MLS action on March 31 with a tough encounter at CenturyLink Field against Seattle Sounders FC.

Toronto (0-2-0) is still without a point in the new MLS season, dropping both of its games by a combined score of 6-1. Aron Winter's men will remain at home to face the Columbus Crew on March 31.