Wondo’s transfer

The Houston trade

Chris Wondolowski has had a very unconventional career. He went from D2 college player to San Jose Earthquakes reserve to MLS all time leading scorer. But what’s often glossed over is the trade that changed his career forever.

Wondolowski was originally signed by the Quakes in 2005. He was selected 40th in the MLS Supplemental Draft, 88 picks after the first overall pick. Wondo balled out his first season — in the reserve games.

But in 2006, San Jose’s ownership group, AEG, tried to build a soccer stadium in San Jose but failed. So they said, we out.

AEG relocated the Quakes to Houston and created the Dynamo organization. Wondo struggled in Houston, scoring only four goals in 3 seasons.

During this time San Jose’s rights were bought by the Oakland A’s. After a two year hiatus, the Quakes were back in MLS. Mama, I’m home.

A season later San Jose traded for Wondo. He was back at the team that originally drafted him but this time under different owners and management. Wondo only scored 3 goals his first season back, tallying his MLS career total to seven goals in 5 years.

Who would’ve thought this dude would become an MLS record breaker?

He was just a chicken marinating in your fridge, capable of serving a Gordon Ramsay caliber meal. Wondo’s trade back to San Jose was the perfect recipe for his success.

In 2010 he won MLS’s Golden Boot. He scored for fun, ending his career with 188 goals.

But if it wasn’t for AEG’s move to Houston, Wondowloski would’ve never had a second chance in San Jose. And he probably would’ve never picked John Terry’s pocket.

Cigarettes after final whistles

Wenger punishes Szczęsny for smoking

It’s no secret Wojciech Szczęsny has been highly criticized throughout his career for inconsistency on the field. But he’s also come under fire for off the field antics, particularly in 2015 when he was caught smoking a cigarette in the locker room.

Szczęsny was to blame for both goals in a 2-0 defeat to Southampton. He came out too far and Sadio Mane chipped him for the first goal. Later he aimlessly kicked the ball to Dusan Tadic, who scored the second.

In the locker room post-game, Szczęsny needed to take the edge off. Smoking a quick dart was his solution. He was even courteous enough to light up away from teammates by cornering himself in the showers.

And apparently it wasn’t even Wenger who reported it. Everyone on that 2014-15 Arsenal squad seems chill but someone was a nark that day.

Give the kid a break. Szczęsny was 24, starting for one of the biggest clubs in Europe. The pressure was incomprehensible.

Not trying to condone smoking cigarettes here, they are bad for your health and a nasty habit. But a quick cig in the locker room for Szczęsny after a Premier League loss is like a Friday beer after your boss grilled you all week. It’s not necessary, but it’s probably needed.

One Twitter account even dug out a video of Arsene Wenger smoking on the bench back in his Monaco days. Wenger must be a, “do as I say, not as I do” type guy.

When Petr Čech joined Arsenal the next season, Szczęsny left for Roma and more recently Juventus where he’s been the starter since 2017.

Seems like the dumb smoke break eventually played out for him

Home sweet…Germany

Why do so many Americans play for Hannover 96?

Americans want to see homegrown talent scoring goals against Real Madrid or tackling Antony in the Premier League. And while clubs like Fulham, Rangers and Everton have favored the Yanks for decades, there’s one team often forget about: Hannover 96.

The Reds have signed eight Americans in their history, most notably Steve Cherundolo. Cherundolo played his entire 16 year-career at Hannover 96, making 423 appearances. Fans even called him “the mayor.”

Clint Mathis and Damarcus Beasley followed in Cherundolo’s footsteps, signing for the club years later. However, both players struggled to earn playing time.

Mathis was once a late substitute against Schalke and scored seconds after taking the field. He celebrated by tapping his wrist like a watch, signaling the coach should play him more.

Mathis started the next game but never played for the first team again after that. At least he scored this banger.

Conor Casey and Bobby Wood completed moderately successful loan spells with the club. Others player like Sebastian Soto, Chris Gloster and Sal Zizzo had stints as well, but mostly played for the B-Team.

Cherundolo’s excellent history with the club paved the way for other Yank’s to sign. If one American becomes a club legend, why not gamble on a few more?

Heck, Oguchi Onyewu’s AC Milan lockeroom brawls probably aided Sergino Dest in earning his current loan spell.

Hopefully Cherundolo’s track record at Hannover 96 will lead to even more Americans playing in Germany. But remember, don’t point to your wrist after scoring.

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