Frank Yallop has seen many towns. For three decades, the Earthquakes head coach has crisscrossed countries on buses and planes chasing soccer. It's a pursuit that requires sacrifice.

"It is hard on the family because you are away a lot," Yallop said. "They are very supportive, but it's not easy. You go away when you don't want to go away, but it's part of the job. You just get on with it."

It's work. Hard work. It defines Yallop. And it has taken him to the top division of coaches in MLS. Consider his achievements - two MLS Championships with San Jose, a spell at Los Angeles Galaxy and in charge of the Canadian national team. He has coached some of the best players in MLS, including Landon Donovan, Dwayne De Rosario and David Beckham. He's been busy. And he has more to do.

Before coaching, Yallop spent the bulk of his career playing at the top level in England with Ipswich Town. English football was rooted in working-class culture. Work hard and play your guts out. If you weren't knackered at the end of the 90-minute shift, you were bloody lazy. And the boss - the coach - was there to rip you apart when you slid off the field. Sensitivity was not a word often associated with the dark mills of England's football factories.

"I had managers in England who were very negative," Yallop declared. "I didn't enjoy that at all. I didn't respond to it. I thought it was uncalled for. And they never got the best out of me by being negative."

He did find inspiration in the late Sir Bobby Robson, a renowned and globally admired English coach. Yallop watched how Robson, coach of Ipswich at the time, "was fantastic with the players. I was there as a youth, but hearing the players talking, they didn't want to let the boss down. He was a great leader. The players were always 100 percent behind him. There was no real big tactical thing, just get the best out of the players, put in the hard work and you can do anything."

Perhaps that creed of self-respect that comes from toil contributed to Yallop's design as a coach when he entered the new world of American soccer emerging in the mid-'90s. Here was sunshine. People had sparkling teeth. It was fresh and positive. It fit Yallop's attitude.

"I'm a very positive person. ... You have to be able to read people," Yallop said. "That's one of my strengths. I get on the same page as the players pretty quickly. I learn a little about them and they learn a little about me. ... Being honest and true is what I am with my players. Make sure they are lifted. Give them the best chance of winning. It means being collectively together. I am in it with them."

This year, under Yallop's wing, San Jose is flying. Winning the Supporters' Shield, the prize for the team with the most points at the season's end, is within reach. Quakes striker Chris Wondolowski leads the league in scoring. The Quakes have come from behind in so many games this year it has been impossible to remember them all. It's a never-say-die spirit.

"I want to bring another championship to San Jose," says Yallop. The hard work continues.

The Earthquakes next take on the Seattle Sounders in a crucial top of the table game. Buck Shaw Stadium, Santa Clara, Saturday. 7.30 p.m. kickoff.

Alan Black is an author and journalist. Read his blog at