APSL’s Salsa Also Will Compete in Mexico’s New Division 1-A

Rick Davis, coach and general manager of the Salsa, said Monday soccer’s popularity in Southern California should improve because his team has joined Mexico’s newly formed Division 1-A.

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for the people of Los Angeles to be able to enjoy high-caliber professional soccer on a year-round basis,” said Davis, on a conference call from Chicago after he had completed a telecast of the World Cup match between Spain and Bolivia at Soldier Field.

Mexico is reorganizing its professional soccer leagues and invited the Salsa to join Division 1-A, which will start play in September. The Division 1-A also will play in a cup competition with Mexico’s first division. The U.S. Soccer Federation board of directors approved the Salsa’s request Sunday in Los Angeles, voting, 10-8, with three abstentions.

Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Stadium will remain the team’s home field, depending on availability.

The Salsa has had success in the past in exhibitions against teams from Mexico’s first division, beating Chivas and Pumas, Davis said. It also defeated World Cup teams from South Korea and Cameroon in recent friendly matches.

The Salsa was the runner-up in the American Professional Soccer League last season and will continue to play in the APSL. The team plans to carry a player pool of 35 and field two teams in case of schedule conflicts during September, when the leagues’ schedules overlap.

The Salsa will start its second APSL season Friday in Denver against the defending champion Colorado Foxes. The home opener is July 24 against the Seattle Sounders.