2016

1996 Clash | Where Are They Now: Defenders

Defenders_Image

John Doyle - Clash/Earthquakes Defender 1996-2000


Clash Career:
Doyle signed with Major League Soccer in 1995. However, when the league delayed their inaugural season, he joined the Atlanta Ruckus of the A-League on loan. Doyle was allocated by the MLS to the San Jose Clash at the end of the A-League season. He became the team’s first player and team captain in history. He was also named the league’s first Defender of the Year. In five seasons with San Jose, he scored 11 goals and tallied 15 assists before retiring after the 2000 season.
Memories:
"I remember seeing the stands full when we came out and thinking ‘there’s going to be soccer here’.”
Since Then:
After his retirement, he worked as a TV and radio color commentator for the Earthquakes. In 2004 he was hired as assistant coach, where he stayed until the team relocated to Houston for the 2006 season. In 2007, he was hired as the general manager of the Earthquakes and has held the role ever since.

Rafael Amaya - Clash Defender 1996-1997


Clash Career:
Amaya was selected in the 13th round of the 1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft by the Clash. He appeared in seven games with San Jose in the league’s first season. In January 1997, Amaya was traded along with Paul Bravo to the Colorado Rapids for Dominic Kinnear and a second round pick in the 1998 MLS Supplemental Draft.
Since Then:
After his MLS stint, Amaya went on to play for the Colorado Comets in the USISL PSDL and multiple teams in NPSL. In 2008, the Colorado Lightning of the Professional Arena Soccer League hired Amaya as the team’s first coach and he held the position for one season.

1996 Clash | Where Are They Now: Defenders -

Oscar Draguicevich - Clash Defender 1996-1998


Clash Career:
Draguicevich was selected in the 11th round of the 1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft by San Jose. Over three seasons, he played in 45 games for the Clash, recording four goals and two assists.
Since Then:
After he left San Jose, Draguicevich returned to the NPSL side Cleveland Crunch where he remained until his retirement in 2000. He currently works with his brother in their company, Laser Manufacturing, in their hometown of Pflugerville, Texas.


Michael Emenalo - Clash Defender 1996-1997


Clash Career:
Emenalo joined the Clash as a part of the original allocated players for Major League Soccer. He spent two seasons with the club, recording one goal and four assists over 56 appearances.
Since Then:
After playing in MLS, Emenalo continued his soccer career with Lleida in Spain and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel before retiring in 2000. He joined Chelsea as chief scout in 2007 and was promoted to assistant first team coach at the end of 2010. The following year he was appointed Chelsea’s Technical Director where he has remained since.

Troy Dayak - Clash/Earthquakes Defender 1996-1998, 2001-2005


Clash Career:
In 1996, Dayak was selected 19th overall by MetroStars in the second round of the Inaugural MLS Draft. He chose not to sign with the club and was traded to the Clash. After three seasons, he signed with the San Francisco Bay Seals, later returning to the Earthquakes in 2001. He helped lead the club to their two MLS Cups in 2001 and 2003, while earning the MLS Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2001.
Since Then:
After retiring from MLS following the 2005 season, Dayak was named the head coach for the MISL expansion franchise California Cougars, where he remained for three seasons. Dayak provided color analysis for CSN California’ Earthquakes broadcast for the 2008 and 2009 seasons. He is currently the Founder and Director of Coaching for West Coast Soccer Club.

1996 Clash | Where Are They Now: Defenders -

Tim Martin


Clash Career:
Martin, a San Jose native, was selected by the Clash in the third round of the MLS Inaugural Player Draft. He spent three seasons with the club, making 83 appearances and scoring one goal.
Since Then:
After three years with the Quakes (1996-98), Martin was selected by the Rapids in the 1999 MLS Supplemental Draft. He played one season with the team before departing from the league in 2000. He signed with the San Francisco Bay Area Seals for the 2000 season, where he was named the USL Defender of the Year. After his retirement following the 2000 season, Martin co-founded USA Seventeen Academy. He also pursued a successful coaching career, joining
Cañada College
for three seasons from 2001-2003. Martin was later named an assistant coach for the Santa Clara University men’s soccer team in 2004.

Tayt Ianni - Clash Defender 1996-1997


Clash Career:
Ianni was selected by the Tampa Bay Mutiny in the eighth round of the Inaugural MLS Draft. The Clash later claimed Ianni off waivers, where he played in seven matches over the next two seasons.  
Memories:
“The most memorable part of that year was playing with such great players and friends.  So many of them I grew up playing with in Bay area men’s league, college, Olympic Development teams, and club soccer where Laurie Calloway was my coach.”
Since Then:
After leaving MLS, Ianni joined the Orange County Zodiac. He was selected by the Rapids in the third round of the 1998 MLS Supplement Draft, but opted to continue playing for the Zodiac through the 2000 season. Since his retirement, Ianni has enjoyed a successful career in the mortgage business. He has been married to his wife of 20 years and has three kids who play soccer as well.
Trailblazer:
“It was great to be a part of something that has turned out to be so successful and most importantly to have made so many friends and memories from all those in the organization.”
Looking Forward:
“I watch [MLS] often and it is exciting to see how tremendously successful the league has been.  I can’t wait to see what another 10 or 20 years brings!  Nor Cal is a hotbed for soccer players and fans and I am thrilled to see the new stadium!”