In the same week it unveiled its players to local fans, the San Jose Clash was hit twice by tragedy.
The wife of Nigerian international Mike Emenalo was found dead Feb. 29, apparently a victim of kidney failure arising from her pregnancy, which was in the second month. Four days earlier, on the same day a crowd of 2,500 showed up to “Meet the Clash” at Spartan Stadium, the sister of Clash draft pick Gabe Garcia had been killed in an automobile accident.
Vicky Emenalo, a Belgian woman Emenalo met and married while he was playing for Belgian club Molenbeek, was living in Atlanta with the couple’s 2-year-old daughter, Kenya, in a house her husband had recently purchased. She was found lying on the kitchen floor by Emenalo’s brother, who had been staying in the house while Emenalo completed the family’s move from Belgium.
Emenalo accompanied his wife’s body to Belgium, where she will be buried.
Garcia’s sister, Jessica, died in a Texas car accident the same day her brother and 16 teammates signed autographs and met fans in San Jose. Garcia’s twin brother, Carlos, was also selected in the MLS draft; he was taken by Washington as the last overall pick.
The Garcia brothers grew up in Helotes, Texas, and played college ball for UNC Charlotte. Their major claim to fame though, is their appearance as the ball-juggling brothers in a Coca-Cola TV ad.
The Clash, which hosts Washington D.C. United in the MLS opener April 6, has already received requests for 15,000 tickets for the game.
by Soccer America Senior Editor Ridge Mahoney