SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that the club will induct former head coach Frank Yallop into the team’s Hall of Fame. Yallop led San Jose to two MLS Cup championships and one Supporters’ Shield in eight and a half years at the helm (2001-03, 2008-13). The induction ceremony will take place at halftime of the Quakes’ match vs. Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, April 23.
“My time with the Earthquakes has always been very special to me and I’m so proud of what we accomplished while I was there,” said Yallop. “I would like to thank the Earthquakes organization for this very special recognition that I’m honored to receive. I would also like to thank the fans for their fantastic support over the years and I’m looking forward to returning to the stadium on April 23 to celebrate with them.”
Yallop took over as head coach of the Earthquakes in 2001, inheriting a team that had the league’s worst record in 2000. After several key offseason acquisitions, including Jeff Agoos, Ramiro Corrales, Dwayne De Rosario and Landon Donovan, he led his side to its first MLS Cup championship. It was the first time a team in American professional sports had gone from worst to first, and he was recognized as the 2001 MLS Coach of the Year.
The following year, Yallop’s side finished the regular season with a 14-11-3 record, second best in MLS. San Jose featured the second-best offense (45 goals for) and second-best defense (35 goals against) but were upset in the first round of the playoffs by Columbus.
The team returned with a vengeance in 2003, finishing with the best record in the Western Conference (14-7-9), just two points shy of Chicago for the Supporters’ Shield. During the Conference Semifinals, the Earthquakes erased a four-goal aggregate deficit to defeat the LA Galaxy 5-4, marking the greatest comeback in MLS history. The Quakes then defeated Kansas City and Chicago to claim their second title in three years.
At the conclusion of the 2003 season, Yallop departed the Quakes to become head coach of the Canada National Team, where he would remain until 2006.
After two seasons with the LA Galaxy (2006-07), Yallop returned to the Earthquakes ahead of the 2008 season. Over the next five and a half years, Yallop led San Jose to two postseason appearances (2010, 2012) and the 2012 Supporters’ Shield with a league-best 19-6-9 record. The team’s high-octane offense scored 72 goals, 13 more than any other club, and were known for their late-game dramatics.
Among all head coaches in club history, Yallop ranks first in games coached (257) and wins (99).
Today, Yallop serves as head coach and sporting director of Monterey Bay FC, an expansion side in the USL Championship.
