Chris Wondolowski provided some late-match heroics for the San Jose Earthquakes. (Andy Mead/YCJ Photo)

NEW YORK – San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski was voted the Major League Soccer player of the week by the North American Soccer Reporters, the league announced Tuesday afternoon.

With a goal and late game-winning assist at Avaya Stadium Sunday, Wondolowski’s heroic effort led to a 3-2 comeback victory over Minnesota United FC, which helped secure San Jose’s spot in the playoffs. The U.S. international forward scored 13 goals and added a career-high eight assists this season, setting an MLS record with eight consecutive seasons of 10 or more finishes.

Wondolowski is tied for second all-time in MLS history with 134 goals scored, helping San Jose return to the playoffs for the first time since 2012 with a sixth-place finish in the Western Conference (13-14-7, 46 points).

Needing a win to secure their playoff bid, the Quakes received a boost in the 55th minute when Danny Hoesen crossed a ball into the middle of the six-yard box. Wondolowski received the pass and easily slotted a shot past goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth to give San Jose a 2-1 advantage.

Minnesota equalized once again, setting the scoreline at 2-2 in the 81st minute. With the Quakes playoff lives on the line, Quincy Amarikwa blasted a shot to the near post, where it was deflected across the goal for Wondolowski to play a perfect square ball into Marco Ureña for a one-touch game-winner in the 93rd minute. Wondolowski’s five game-winning assists were tied for the second most among MLS players this season.

The Earthquakes will play in the knockout round of the MLS Cup playoffs against Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place Wednesday (10:30 p.m. ET, UniMás, TSN1/3/4/5/TVAS2).

The MLS player of the week is selected each week of the regular season by a panel of journalists from NASR. The group consists of members of print, television, radio and online media.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.