Who Is San Jose Earthquakes’ New Coach?

On Monday the last-place San Jose Earthquakes made their third coaching change of the past 15 months, parting company with Mikael Stahre and promoting assistant Steve Ralston to the top spot on an interim basis.

Louis-area youth club Scott Gallagher, Ralston was drafted by the Tampa Bay Mutiny out of Florida International in the leagues first college draft ahead of its inaugural season in 1996.

Becoming a fixture on Tampa Bays right flank, he would go on to rack up 34 goals and 62 assists over six regular seasons, showcasing pinpoint crosses and intelligent distribution before that franchise was contracted following the 2001 campaign.

Ralston moved on to New England, where he would build on his reputation as the leagues most productive winger, bagging 42 goals and 73 assists over eight seasons to power four runs to the MLS Cup final, crafting a particularly fruitful connection with prolific striker Taylor Twellman.