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MLS San Jose Earthquakes

Earthquakes Name John Doyle Assistant Coach

January 22, 2004 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


San Jose (Thursday, January 22, 2004) - The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that John Doyle has been named assistant coach. Doyle will begin his new responsibilities immediately, filling the position held for the past three seasons by Dominic Kinnear, who was named the Earthquakes new head coach on Jan. 7. Doyle aided Kinnear in scouting at the recent MLS College Player Combine and at the MLS SuperDraft. Tim Hanley will return in 2004 as the goalkeeper coach to complete the coaching staff.

"John Doyle is a perfect fit for this organization because of his extensive knowledge of our team and the league and I am excited to have him as a part of my staff," said Kinnear. "John has excellent experience both as a player with the national team and here in San Jose. I have known John for a long time and I know that we will be able to work together to continue the Earthquakes winning tradition here in San Jose."

Doyle, 37, is a Bay Area native and has the distinction of being the first player in the history of the San Jose MLS team. Doyle enjoyed a stellar playing career for the Clash/Earthquakes from 1996-2000, making two MLS All-Star teams (1996, 1997) and winning the 1996 MLS Defender of the Year award while also being named to the MLS Best XI team that year. Until last season, Doyle held the team records for games played (132) and minutes played (11,385). During his MLS career, Doyle scored 11 goals and registered 15 assists.

"I am happy to join the Earthquakes coaching staff," said Doyle. "I believe that we have a strong team here and I am looking forward to getting back on field and working with Dominic and the players on a daily basis to have a successful season. I am excited to return to the competitive environment of professional soccer."

Since retiring after the 2000 season, Doyle has spent the past three seasons as the Earthquakes television analyst, while also serving as the Director of Coaching for Mustang Youth Soccer. In addition, Doyle serves on the Board of Directors for U.S. Soccer and is the Technical Director of the Super Y-League ODP programs. He holds an "A" coaching license from the U.S. Soccer Federation.

The former University of San Francisco All-American has enjoyed one of the most decorated playing careers in United States soccer history. Doyle first began training with the U.S. National Team in 1987 and was a member of the squad until 1994. He played in the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the 1990 World Cup in Italy, where he appeared against Italy and Austria. Overall, Doyle made 53 appearances for the U.S. National Team, scoring three goals and registering two assists.

As a professional, Doyle helped the San Francisco Bay Blackhawks win the 1991 APSL Championship. After playing in Sweden and Germany, Doyle returned to the U.S. and was named the 1995 APSL Defender of the Year while with the Atlanta Ruckus. Doyle returned to the Bay Area to join the San Jose Clash in MLS and he was introduced as the team's first player along with Michael Emenalo on Dec. 7, 1995.

Along with Kinnear, Doyle grew up in nearby Fremont, Calif., where he starred at Washington High School playing against Kinnear's rival J.F.K High School. Doyle currently resides in Pleasanton with his wife Kaarin and their two children Jay and Kate.

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