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Biography current as of January 2024
Troy Dayak grew up in Walnut Creek, California and attended Livermore High School. In 1989, he attended the University of San Francisco for one year and then signed with the San Francisco Bay Blackhawks of the Western Soccer League (WSL). Seventeen years old at the time, he was the youngest player to sign with the WSL or its successor leagues, the APSL and A-League. In 1990, the WSL merged with the American Soccer League to form the American Professional Soccer League (APSL). In 1991, the Blackhawks won the APSL championship and Dayak was named a first team All Star. In 1993, the Blackhawks owner moved the team to the lower division USISL and renamed the team the San Jose Hawks. Despite going to the 1993 Sizzlin' Six tournament, the team folded at the end of the season.
In 1996, he was selected by MetroStars in second round of the Inaugural MLS Draft (19th overall). Troy, who had strong roots in the San Francisco Bay Area, refused to sign with the league and move his family to the New York area. Therefore, he was traded by the MetroStars to the San Jose Clash (later to be named the Earthquakes) in exchange for Rhett Harty and first round pick in 1996 College Draft. He was a solid starter for the Clash until, in August 1997, he suffered a violent collision snapping his head backwards. Troy's neck was already aggravated due to two previous neck injuries, and he was very close to becoming paralyzed. Troy was told that he would never play again. Nonetheless, in October 1997, he underwent surgery that fused a piece of bone from Troy's hip onto his 5th and 6th vertebrae. After a long march to recovery, he rejoined the Clash in 1998, going on loan to the San Francisco Bay Seals for one game, only to be waived at the end of the season. In 1999 Dayak signed with the San Francisco Bay Seals of the A-League. Early in the 1999 season, Dayak suffered a major knee injury damaging his medial collateral ligament (MCF) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). After a difficult recovery complicated by infection, Troy rejoined the Seals for the 2000 campaign as a player and coach. He was honored that season when he made the A League All Stars. In 2001 Troy was signed by Frank Yallop, head coach of the San Jose Earthquakes. Troy became a solid starter for the Quakes, helping lead the team to two MLS Cups in 2001 and 2003, lifting the 2001 MLS Cup. Dayak earned the MLS Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2001. Dayak scored eight goals and added seven assists in his seven years in the league.
Dayak had a notable youth soccer career playing in the U-16, U-20 and U-23 United States national soccer teams. He was part of the U-20 team to place fourth in the World Youth Championship in Saudi Arabia. He also represented the U.S. in 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. He also earned 9 caps for the senior national team. His earned his first cap on September 15, 1990 in a 3–0 win over Trinidad and Tobago. He entered the game in the 65th minute for Steve Pittman. His last game came on March 16, 1991 in the 1991 NAFC Championship, a 2–0 victory over Canada.
Following retirement in 2005, Dayak became the Technical Director of the Livermore Youth Soccer League in Livermore, California. He then Founded and is Director of Coaching for his own club, West Coast Soccer Club.
Dayak was also the third member to be inducted into the San Jose Earthquakes Hall of Fame in 2011, along with being part of the Cal North Hall of Fame inauguration at PayPal Park on October 21, 2023.
