The San Jose Earthquakes are an American professional soccer team based in San Jose, California, United States, that competes as a member of the Western Conference of Major League Soccer (MLS). The franchise began play in 1996 as one of the charter clubs of the league. The Earthquakes took part in the first game in MLS history, defeating D.C. United 1–0. The Earthquakes have won two MLS Cup titles, in 2001 and 2003, and two Supporters' Shields in 2005 and 2012. In 2002, the team played in its first CONCACAF Champions Cup, making it to the quarterfinals. The team holds a fierce rivalry with the LA Galaxy known as the California Clásico.
Jeffrey Alan Agoos is a retired Swiss-born American soccer defender, and one of the all-time appearance leaders for the United States national team. Agoos served as the Sporting Director for the New York Red Bulls, and currently is the Vice President of Competition for Major League Soccer.
Ramiro Corrales is an American soccer player who is currently a player-coach for Premier Development League team Santa Cruz Breakers FC. He spent most of his professional career with the San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer.
Troy Michael Dayak is a former American soccer player who played as central defender. He spent his entire Major League Soccer career with the San Jose Clash/Earthquakes and nearly all of his professional career playing for Bay Area teams.
Mark Stewart Watson is a Canadian former professional soccer player and is currently an assistant coach at Minnesota United FC. A former defender, Watson is the fifth most-capped player in the history of the Canadian national team.
Yari Allnutt is a retired American soccer player who played professionally in Mexico and the United States, including the American Professional Soccer League and Major League Soccer. He earned five caps with the United States national team, including games at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
Western Soccer Alliance was a professional soccer league featuring teams from the West Coast of the United States and Western Canada. The league began in 1985 as the Western Alliance Challenge Series. In 1986, it became the Western Soccer Alliance. In 1989, it existed for a single year as the Western Soccer League before merging with the American Soccer League to form the American Professional Soccer League in 1990.
San Francisco Bay Blackhawks were a professional soccer team which came into existence in 1989 as a team in the Western Soccer League (WSL). The Blackhawks spent time in the American Professional Soccer League (APSL) and the United States Interregional Soccer League (USISL). In 1993, the team competed in USISL as the San Jose Hawks, but left organized competition at the end of the season.
John Kerr Jr. is an American retired soccer midfielder who played professionally in the United States, Canada, England, France and Northern Ireland during a much traveled and varied playing career. He is currently head coach of the Duke University men's soccer team. Kerr was named the 1986 Hermann Award winner as the top collegiate player of the year. He also earned sixteen caps, scoring two goals, with the U.S. national team.
Tim Martin is a former American soccer defender. Over his twelve-year professional career, he played with numerous teams in six leagues, winning the 1994 U.S. Open Cup with the San Francisco Greek-Americans and the 1991 American Professional Soccer League title with the San Francisco Bay Blackhawks. He also earned two caps with the U.S. national team. Since retiring from playing in 2000, he has become a college and youth soccer coach.
Portland Timbers, previously known as F.C. Portland, came into existence in 1985 as an independent U.S. soccer team based in Portland, Oregon. In 1989, the team adopted the name Portland Timbers. Portland was composed of both professional and amateur players. The amateur players largely came from local Portland amateur leagues. It played its games in Portland's Civic Stadium.
Peter Hattrup is a retired American soccer player who played professionally in Major League Soccer and the USL A-League.
Lothar Osiander is a German soccer coach who has served as head coach to the U.S. national and Olympic teams as well as the Atlanta Ruckus, Los Angeles Galaxy and San Jose Clash.
George Pastor is a former U.S. soccer forward who was a prolific indoor soccer goal scorer. He also earned seven caps with the U.S. national team in 1988 and 1989.
Amir Lowery is an American soccer player.
Thor Lee is a retired U.S. soccer defender who played professionally in several U.S. leagues including one season in Major League Soccer.
Tommy Reasoner is a retired U.S. soccer player who spent one season in Major League Soccer, two in the Western Soccer Alliance, four in the American Professional Soccer League and two in the Continental Indoor Soccer League. He was also part of the U.S. team at the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship.
Omid Namazi is a retired American soccer defender of Iranian descent and is currently assistant coach of Houston Dynamo in MLS. Namazi played professionally in the American Soccer League, American Professional Soccer League, Major League Soccer, USISL and National Professional Soccer League where he was the 2001 Defender of the Year and he played for United States national futsal team. He is a two-time Coach of the Year in the Major Indoor Soccer League and coached in the Women's United Soccer Association. As assistant coach of Iran, he led the team to qualification to the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.
Bill Andracki is a retired American soccer goalkeeper who had an extensive professional career playing both indoor and outdoor soccer.
Derek Sanderson is a retired American soccer player who played professionally in eight leagues including the North American Soccer League, Major Indoor Soccer League and American Professional Soccer League. He played three games for the U.S. at the 1983 FIFA World Youth Championship.
