Galaxy Turns to Former Foe
For years, the Galaxy considered former San Jose Earthquakes coach Frank Yallop a key adversary as the teams staged one of MLS’ fiercest rivalries.
On Wednesday, Yallop, 42, who was coach of the year with the Earthquakes in 2001, was named the Galaxy’s coach by team President and General Manager Alexi Lalas. The hiring came a day after coach Steve Sampson was fired after the team’s horrendous start.
“I’m familiar with the players,” said Yallop, adding he had watched many Galaxy games. “I might not recognize them face to face, but I know them from afar.”
The firing and hiring were the first major moves by Lalas, who was named to both posts in April after the death of General Manager Doug Hamilton. “Right now, this team has failed to live up to the very high expectations of the Galaxy, the jewel of MLS,” Lalas said. “Frank can get us back to the level where we need to be.”
Yallop was signed to a multiyear deal. He said he planned to reevaluate his coaching staff in the coming weeks.
He guided the now-defunct Earthquakes to MLS Cup titles in 2001 and 2003; the Galaxy lost to San Jose in the playoffs both years. The Earthquakes moved to Houston and became the Dynamo in the off-season.
“There’s no Earthquakes any more, so I guess I don’t have to feel bad about that,” Yallop said.
His San Jose teams were characterized by good goalkeeping, solid defense and attacking soccer. Yallop has the MLS’ third-highest winning percentage at .595 and led the Earthquakes to a 41-25-18 record in his three seasons as coach.
“He’s been public enemy No. 1 to this franchise for years,” said Galaxy captain Pete Vagenas. “But through those intense battles and competition, you gain a tremendous amount of respect for your rivals and for their coach.”
Yallop’s playing career lasted for nearly 20 years in England and the U.S., including three seasons with the MLS’ Tampa Bay Mutiny. A Vancouver native, he coached the Canadian national team the last two years, finishing 8-9-3.
He said the switch was prompted, in part, because he wants to get back to the daily grind of soccer.
The Galaxy is in the midst of a six-game losing streak, winless at home and last in the Western Conference standings at 2-8-1. Galaxy players Landon Donovan -- who played for Yallop in San Jose -- plus Chris Albright and Cornell Glen have been unavailable to the team since mid-May because of World Cup duty.
“Hopefully we can lift their spirits, get them in the right direction and get some wins from there,” Yallop said.
Yallop follows Sampson, who was dismissed a season after winning MLS and U.S. Open Cup championships. “You can’t look at what may be down the road,” Yallop said. “I have to come in here and win now.”
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Yallop’s record
Frank Yallop’s coaching record in MLS:
*--* Year Team W L T Division 2001 San Jose 13 7 6 Second 2002 San Jose 14 11 3 Second 2003 San Jose 14 7 9 First
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Note: Won MLS Cup in 2001 and 2003.
