Davis Promises a New Style for the Salsa

Salsa General Manager Rick Davis, who was named coach of the American Professional Soccer League team Wednesday, promised an attacking, more entertaining style of soccer.

The Salsa ended a three-month search by selecting Davis, a former U.S. national team captain and standout with the Cosmos of the North American Soccer League.

Davis replaces Rildo Menezes, who resigned under pressure after last season.

“You’re going to see a different style of play this season,” said Davis, who will remain as general manager. “I believe in a more entertaining, attacking style of play. Coach Menezes was more of a position-oriented coach. My philosophy is that when you have the ball, you have 11 attackers. And when you lose the ball, you have 11 defenders.”

Menezes coached the Salsa to the APSL finals last spring. But that game, a 3-1 overtime loss to Colorado at Titan Stadium, was a factor in the coaching change. With the Salsa leading, 1-0, with four minutes left in regulation, Menezes pulled league MVP Paulinho and replaced him with a defender.

After the game, Salsa owner William De La Pena was furious with the coaching decision, and Menezes resigned soon afterward.

Davis said the Salsa’s roster “will require some changes” to fit his aggressive style of play. The team began practicing Monday, and 11 players have tried out so far.

“We need to beef ourselves up offensively,” he said, “but I think the nucleus of the team will remain the same.”

Davis said Mike Fox has been named general manager of the Cobras, the Salsa’s farm team. Davis said Octavio Zambrano, the Cobras’ coach, will remain with the Salsa as an assistant coach.

The Salsa also waived forward Phillip Gyau.

The APSL season is expected to start in late July.