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On April 6, 1996, MLS was born. A crowd of 31,683 saw San Jose Clash beat DC United 1-0 thanks to Eric Wynaldas 88th-minute goal, and much has changed two decades on.One man in the sell-out Spartan Stadium crowd that day was Chris Wondolowski, current San Jose Earthquakes captain, all-time top scorer and USA international. The occasion made a clear impression on the 13-year-old, who is now fifth in the all-time MLS scorers list with 112 goals, 32 behind leader Landon Donovan. He played in the 20th anniversary match on Saturday evening, a 1-1 draw against DC United at the Earthquakes new Avaya Stadium courtesy of another 88th-minute San Jose goal, in front of their 18th straight sell-out crowd. Wondolowski also has 31 caps for the USA national team The Earthquakes epitomise the rise of MLS in recent years. Their 29 per cent rise in attendances from 2014 to 2015, helped by their own exclusive stadium, aided the leagues overall 12.5 per cent rise, the largest in its history.The total MLS gate has more than doubled to 7.3m since David Beckham first arrived at LA Galaxy in 2007, and on the pitch, the product has matched the growth.The teams are more international than ever, the players arrive from overseas younger, youth academies are developing and the competitiveness remains. Wondolowski, now 33, has seen it all since making his debut in 2005.The league just keeps growing exponentially, its amazing to see the growth and development of each team and each player, Wondolowski told Sky Sports. The teams are so deep, the product out there just continues to grow. San Jose Clashs Eric Wynalda celebrates scoring the first MLS goal back in 1996 The league reaches so far globally now, with Sky Sports as well, its all over the world. Its a huge thing, and the players were bringing in too match that.Passionate and organised supporters groups have added colour to what was previously a seen as merely a spectator sport in the US, and the league sits ninth in average attendance figures across world league football, ahead of Eredivisie, the Championship and both the Argentine and Brazilian top flights.Back in 1996, it was the noise and camaraderie that struck a chord with Wondolowski.It was fun to watch it, it was just loud, he recalls. I remember being excited for professional soccer in the area, and there was still the buzz of the 1994 World Cup.Playing soccer is what we strived for. I remember going to Grizzlies (indoor soccer) games before that, and I thought it was a cool thing to have professional soccer. The 33-year-old attended the first MLS game, and has 114 goals in the competition It was crazy, hectic. We got there early for tailgate, and there was just people everywhere. I think its crazy to see where it has gone. It has continued to take these strides. Its amazing.Its great to have a stadium to call our own, for the fans, the team and the community. It gives us a sense of identity, and I love playing there. The fans drive us through the 90 minutes, its great to see.Two years after the World Cup in 1994, US soccer fans had an appetite for a major professional league, cue the birth of MLS.Jump forward to now, and promising national team performances both in the womens and mens game means the hunger for soccer is arguably at an all-time high, and this summers US-hosted Copa America tournament gives the game another chance to reinforce its ever-growing status in American sport. Jurgen Klinsmanns USA side are in transition after the 2014 World Cup Jurgen Klinsmanns national side have been in and out of form since exiting the World Cup at the last-16 stage in 2014, but Wondolowski is excited for the summer festival of football, and says the concern surrounding the US side is solely from outside the camp.The Copa America is a great tool to have to show the fans some great soccer, not only from the US team but to have the South American players, their teams and some of the best players in the world, to see them up close. We dont always get that opportunity here.Hopefully people can take advantage of it because its a special thing that doesnt happen often.Any time you are with the national team you have to play at a high level, even the training is very demanding. I always try to play to the best of my ability because you want to be out there. You take every practice and every shot seriously. USA have been in and out of form since the World Cup in 2014 Its always a transition period (in national team football), and in any cycle there are always ups and downs, its how you deal with it.Klinsmanns transition period since Brazil has been rocky; wins against Germany, Mexico and the Netherlands have been levelled out by defeats against Jamaica, Panama and Guatemala.They are close to qualifying for Russia 2018, but the next challenge will be to get through a less than desirable Copa America group against Colombia, Costa Rica and Paraguay.Theres always going to be panic moments, but I dont think the team is panicking, and I know for sure the coach isnt, and to a player everyone believes in the system and believes in each other. Attendances are up in MLS, helped by the passionate and organised supporters groups Its kind of funny to see everybody around it very nervous and very critical. But its part of it, and its how you rebound from it that makes the team.For Wondolowski personally, Donovans record is not yet in his sights. Three goals in four appearances this season edges him closer, and shows the 33-year-olds touch in front of goal remains.Right now I cant reach it, I cant reach it in a game, I probably cant reach it in a year, so right now its not even a thought.I enjoy coming out here every day, I really do, I look forward to coming to training and I enjoy the game. Its what drives me.It also helps to have great team-mates around me who have helped me along the way, again, thats the joy of it, and it keeps me going.Watch live MLS this weekend on Sky Sports, including New York Red Bulls v Sporting Kansas City, NYCFC v Chicago Fire and LA Galaxy v Portland Timbers.Also See:10 MLS questions for Lloyd SamRonaldinho set for MLS or ChinaMLS round-upLive MLS on SkyJustin Jackson Kings Jersey . Takahashi, who had a 10-point lead after the short program, received 268.31 points after the free skate to finish 15 points ahead of second-place Nobunari Oda. Marvin Bagley III Jersey . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. https://www.kingslockerroom.com/Peja-Stojakovic-City-Edition-Jersey/ . -- There were a lot of firsts for the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. Marvin Bagley III Kings Jersey . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. Harry Giles Jersey . Carey Price didnt, but he still came out on top against one of his rivals for the No. 1 job at the Sochi Games. The Anahim Lake, B.C., native was stellar in making 39 saves in his home province and Lars Eller got credit for a bizarre short-handed winner as the Canadiens defeated the Canucks 4-1.RICHMOND, Va. -- Denny Hamlin won the pole Friday for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway.The Joe Gibbs Racing driver, racing about 20 miles from where he grew up in Chesterfield, turned a fast last at 122.344 mph in the third round of qualifying to claim his first pole position of the year. Its the 24th pole position of his career and third in 21 tries on the 0.75-mile oval.It also marks the 24th consecutive race Hamlin will start from inside the top 10.We were second and third so many times it was crazy, Hamlin said about his consistently good qualifying but inability to win a pole. We actually looked at the rainouts and its like, `Were going to start seventh because of a rainout and it hurts our average.Hamlin said his average starting position, 6.1, is the best since Jeff Gordon had a 5.0 average in 1995.That was a pretty cool stat to see, he said.The pole was somewhat unexpected, Hamlin said, because he had to run several laps in each round while others ran just one.I thought that for sure we had too many laps on our tires. A lot of guys that we were challenging only had one lap per session. My car didnt really come in that quick so I had to run multiple laps, he said. Earning the pole anyway is promising, he said.Running that fast with so many laps tells us we have a good car for the long run, he said.ddddddddddddKyle Larson will start on the outside of the front row, with Matt Kenseth and Jamie McMurray in the second row, followed by Kurt Busch and Martin Truex Jr. in the third. The top 10 also includes Kasey Kahne, Austin Dillon, Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson.Dillon and McMurray are among the drivers hoping to cement a spot in the Chase for the championship that begins next week.HELLO, NEWMAN: Ryan Newman needs a good weekend to qualify for the playoffs, especially after his team was docked 15 points this week for an infraction at Darlington. But didnt make it out of the second round of qualifying and will start 15th on Saturday night.Newman hasnt won in his last 113 starts.THE OTHER EARNHARDT: Dale Earnhardt Jr., isnt racing this weekend, or for the rest of the season, while he recovers from a concussion, but Jeffrey Earnhardt will be in the field. Hell start 40th. Jeff Gordon is once again filling in behind the wheel of Earnhardts No. 88 car.HEAT INDEX: Temperatures in the mid-90s and a triple digit heat index greeted race fans Friday, and are expected again Saturday. ' ' '