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Biography current as of January 2024
John Doyle is a Bay Area soccer icon, starring at the high school, club, college, Olympic & professional levels who represented USA Soccer at the highest level. He was a founding member and Team Captain of San Jose’s Major League Soccer franchise, the Clash, in 1996. He played in the first game in MLS history and was named the league’s first Defender of the Year. He remained a critical component of the team for the next five years as it reclaimed the Earthquakes nickname and re-established itself as a San Jose sports institution. Following his playing career, he served as an assistant coach from 2004-05 and then become Earthquakes General Manager from 2008-16. Doyle played college soccer at the University of San Francisco and was named a second team All-American before beginning his professional career with American and European club teams, including a stint with the German first division club FC Lokomotive Leipzig.
He earned fifty-three caps with the USA National Team including starting in the 1990 FIFA World Cup and played in the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.
Additionally, the San Jose Earthquakes inducted John Doyle as the inaugural member of the San Jose Earthquakes Hall of Fame, while Troy Dayak was honored in a post-game ceremony announcing his retirement on August 27th against the Los Angeles Galaxy in Spartan Stadium.
Doyle also served as Director of Coaching for Mustang Soccer Club & Valley Surf.
Doyle was unable to attend the inauguration of the Cal North Hall of Fame at PayPal Park on October 21st, 2023, but courteously accepted the award which was shipped to his home.
