Chris Wondolowski scored twice in his return from playing on the U.S. national team, breaking a nearly three-month league drought and the San Jose Earthquakes beat Chivas USA 2-0 Saturday.
Wondolowski headed home a ball to the upper reaches of the far corner in the 45th minute for his first league goal since May 8.
The reigning league MVP, who scored five times during the United States' victorious Gold Cup run, followed that up by pouncing on a loose rebound in the 87th minute.
San Jose (8-9-6) extended its winning streak to three matches to edge back into the Western Conference playoff race. The Quakes are unbeaten in 11 home matches.
Chivas USA dropped to 4-13-5 overall and are winless in their past 10 road games.
Wondolowski's first goal, taken from the edge of Chivas USA's 6-yard box, was set up by a feathery header from Victor Bernardez, coming off a long pass by Steven Beitashour.
Wondolowski's second score came after Chivas USA had gone a man down with defender Carlos Bocanegra's 62nd minute ejection for a tackle on San Jose midfielder Shea Salinas.
Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy did well to block Salinas' deflected shot, but Wondolowski snapped up the ball, showing the kind of quality finishing he often flashed while scoring 27 goals last season.
Wondolowski almost had a hat trick, rounding Kennedy after being sprung free by Sam Cronin's headed pass in the 59th minute. Chivas USA defender Mario de Luna delivered a sliding clearance on Wondolowski's tightly angled shot.
De Luna appeared briefly to have tied the match in the 58th minute, sneaking in a glancing header at the near post off a long free kick. But he was ruled to have been offside on the play.
