SAN JOSE, England – San Jose Earthquakes legend Troy Dayak will return to the organization as the Technical Advisor to the Youth Academy, the team announced on Monday.
In his first week with the club, Dayak mentored four kids from the Quakes Youth Academy during a 10-day trip to London. Dayak arranged for Travis Pillon, Nick Lima, Alfred Edmonds and Sam Engs to train with the Tottenham Hotspur Under-16’s and spent time working with the group during practice sessions and matches with the Earthquakes senior roster.
“Troy has a strong connection to the Earthquakes family,” said Earthquakes General Manager John Doyle. “He’s a winner and has shared in some of the great moments in this franchise’s history. Over the years, his contribution to soccer in the Bay Area has been tremendous and we are very happy to have him back with us.”
During his 16 years as a player, Dayak won two MLS Cups with San Jose (2001 and 2003) and was named the 2001 MLS Comeback Player of the Year. He spent four seasons with the San Francisco Blackhawks, three with the San Francisco Seals, eight with the Earthquakes and also earned nine caps with the US Men’s National Team. He was also a member of the 1992 US Olympic Team.
After his retirement from playing in 2005, Dayak continued as a mainstay in the Bay Area soccer community. He spent three seasons as the head coach of the California Cougars indoor soccer team and was the Technical Director of the Livermore Youth Soccer League. Aside from his work with the Earthquakes Academy, Dayak is also the Director of Coaching for West Coast Soccer Club.
The former center back holds a USSF National “A” Coaching License and has an NSCAA Director of Coaching Certification. He is currently participating in the NSCAA master’s program.
While working with the Earthquakes Youth Academy, Dayak will help oversee the technical development of players at the U-18, U-16 and U-14 levels.
