Tom Liner - Clash Goalkeeper 1996-1997
Clash Career: San Jose selected Liner in the 14th round of the 1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft. He was the Clash’s starting goalkeeper for the 1996 season, playing in twenty games with a 7-12-0 record and 1.73 goals against average. He was limited to two games in 1997 due to injury and retired from professional soccer at the season’s end.
Memories: “I have many fond memories from the 1996 Inaugural Season. Starting in goal that April 6th day was a feeling I will never forget. The energy of the crowd, Eric’s last minute game winner, the clock counting down to 0.00, getting a shutout, and being a part of history are memories that will stay with me for a very long time.”
Since Then: After his retirement, Liner was hired as the women’s soccer coach at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, California. In 2007, he became the men’s soccer coach and just finished his 9th season with the team. In addition to coaching, he teaches tennis, badminton, weight training and table tennis. He is married and has two boys, Jack (14) and Luke (12).
Trailblazer: “Being part of the Major League Soccer’s Inaugural Season was
special on so many levels. It was amazing to play with and against so many talented players. I always feel lucky to have been one of the MLS originals. Go Quakes!!”
Looking Forward: “I try to watch the Earthquakes as much as I can and I’m looking
forward to going to more games in the new stadium.”
GK Dave Salzwedel - San Jose Goalkeeper from 1996-1997
Clash Career: Salzwedel was drafted by San Jose in the eighth round of the 1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft and he played for the Clash for two seasons.
Since Then: Salzwedel went on to coach boys and girls soccer at the Oakwood School in Morgan Hill, California. He has also opened two camps: one for soccer and one for all sports. In 2003, he was inducted into the California Lutheran University Hall of Fame at his alma mater.
