Salsa Expected to Name Rick Davis as Coach

Rick Davis, Salsa general manager, is expected to be named coach of the American Professional Soccer League team this morning, a source familiar with the situation said Tuesday.

Davis, a key figure in efforts to build U.S. interest in the sport since the 1970s, would neither confirm nor deny that he would be presented as the Salsa’s second coach in a news conference today at the club’s training facility at Cal State Fullerton.

But the source, who requested anonymity, said Davis had been selected to replace Rildo Menezes, “and it’s an excellent choice.”

“What we need now (in U.S. pro soccer) is people who have gone through our systems and understand the mentality of American players,” the source said.

Development of U.S. talent is seen as critical to building fan interest here. But foreign-born coaches, from countries where soccer is the No. 1 sport, have often expressed frustration at the corresponding amount of teaching necessary.

“We need somebody with a more modern approach, who isn’t impatient with our young players,” the source said.

Davis is thoroughly familiar with soccer’s struggle to gain a U.S. foothold. He was a member of the Cosmos, the North American Soccer League’s New York-based glamour team, at age 18 and later starred in the Major Indoor Soccer League. Both have since folded.

Davis also was captain of the U.S. national team for 10 years. But his dream to play in a World Cup final was ended by knee problems in 1990.

With Davis as general manager, the Salsa ended its first year in the APSL by reaching the league final, played before a crowd of 10,743 at Titan Stadium. But that game, a 3-1 overtime loss to Colorado, also wound up being a factor in the coaching change.

With four minutes left in regulation and a 1-0 Salsa lead, Menezes pulled league most valuable player Paulinho and replaced him with a defender. Colorado then forced overtime and eventually snatched the title away.

Afterward, Salsa owner William De La Pena was openly furious with the coaching decision, and Menezes resigned under pressure soon after.