October 21st, 2012 
Matt Thacker Only one goal separates San Jose Earthquakes striker Chris Wondolowski from writing his name in the Major League Soccer record books.
Wondolowski’s 73rd-minute goal gave the Earthquakes a 2-2 draw with LA Galaxy on Sunday at Buck Shaw Stadium. He now has 26 goals with one game remaining. Roy Lassiter still holds the MLS record with 27 goals set during the league’s inaugural season in 1996.
Two other players also scored 26 goals in a season: Stern John for the Columbus Crew in 1998 and Mamadou Diallo for the Tampa Bay Mutiny in 2000.
The draw ensured the Galaxy will finish fourth in the Western Conference. Rather than receiving a bye given to the top three teams in each conference, the Galaxy will host the Vancouver Whitecaps in a wild-card round of the playoffs. The winner will play the Earthquakes.
San Jose had already clinched the Supporters’ Shield for best regular season record based on Saturday’s result.
There were no goals for nearly the first hour of play before the teams combined for four goals in the span of 15 minutes. The first came in the 59th minute when a cross from Edson Buddle hit two Earthquakes’ defenders, and Robbie Keane was there for the finish just six yards from goal. Keane has scored 12 goals in the last 15 matches.
San Jose answered quickly with a stellar Marvin Chávez free kick from 25 yards in the 61st minute. In the 69th minute, Edson Buddle scored with his head off a cross from Sean Franklin.
As has happened so many times this year, the Earthquakes came back to even the score. A corner kick from Chávez was finished by Wondolowski with a diving header in the 73rd minute.
Wondolowski has eight goals in the last six matches, and with a little more luck, he may have already broken the record. He had two shots hit off the post early in the second half. His last chance will come Oct. 28 against the Portland Timbers.
