MLS: San Jose's Yallop takes Canada job

• by Soccer America , Dec 17, 2003

During his three seasons as head coach of the Earthquakes (2001-2003), Yallop led the Quakes to two MLS Cup championships while posting a 41-25-18 record, which was the best mark in MLS during that stretch.

Yallop is a former Canadian international who spent the majority of playing career in England. He came to MLS to play for Tampa Bay in 1996 for the league's launch. After retiring as a player, he was an assistant coach at Tampa and D.C. United before becoming San Jose head coach.

Former U.S. international Dominic Kinnear, Yallop's top assistant at San Jose, is considered the top candidate to replace Yallop.

German Holger Osieck resigned as Canada coach earlier this year. Yallop has a tough task ahead of him. If form holds, Canada will face Costa Rica, Honduras and Guatemala in the semifinal round of World Cup '06 qualifying. Only two teams from that group advance to the final round of CONCACAF qualifying in 2005.

As part of the agreement for Yallop's departure, the Earthquakes will also host the Canadian national team on June 5 at Spartan Stadium. That match will be Canada's final tune-up prior to the start of the second round of World Cup qualifying. The majority of Canada's players are in European leagues. Canada has not played a home in more than three years.