Rick Davis
Encyclopedia
Richard Dean Davis (born November 24, 1958 in Denver
, Colorado
and grew up in Claremont, California
) is a retired American soccer midfielder
, and former captain of the U.S. National Team for much of the 1980s. He is considered by many the best U.S.-born player of the North American Soccer League era and is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame
.
. He was an All American high school player at Damien High School in La Verne, California
. In 1977, he played a single season of college soccer
at Santa Clara University
While at Santa Clara, he was a member of the Broncos team which took the U-19 National Open Championship (McGuire Cup).
In 1983, the St. Louis Steamers
of the Major Indoor Soccer League signed Davis away from the Cosmos. Davis moved just in time to avoid the collapse of the Cosmos. Despite numerous nagging injuries, Davis led the Steamers in scoring and was an integral part of the team's run to the MISL championship series which the Steamers lost to the Baltimore Blast
. He played one more season with the Steamers before moving to the New York Express
, an MISL expansion team heavily staffed by former Cosmos players. The team lasted until the 1986-1987 All-Star break, when it folded.
In March 1987, Davis moved to the Tacoma Stars for the remainder of the 1986-1987 season. In January 1989, Davis injured his knee, requiring multiple surgeries. He was on the roster for the 1989 Seattle Storm
of the Western Soccer Alliance. In 1990, he retired from playing professional soccer.
. Even more, he scored his first international goal in that game. He became a regular on the team, playing in all eight U.S. matches in 1977. Davis continued to play for the Olympic team, which qualified for the 1980 Summer Olympics
. However, President Carter
's boycott
of those games, held in Moscow
, stopped the team from competing. Davis played for the U.S. in the 1984 Olympics
, where he scored two goals in the U.S. victory over Costa Rica
. In 1984, he was also named the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year
, the first year of the award. He played again at the 1988 Summer Olympics
. Davis' experience and leadership led him to being named captain of the U.S. national team. In this capacity, he led the team during 1988, and was looking forward to the 1990 FIFA World Cup
qualifying games in 1989. However, he suffered a serious knee injury in January 1989. Although he tried to work himself back into shape in order to make the World Cup roster, U.S. coach Bob Gansler
never called him back to the team, and Davis retired from playing. Overall, he earned 36 caps (a record at the time), scoring seven goals for the senior national team.
of the American Professional Soccer League
. In 2004, he was named Director of Programs for AYSO
, and in 2006, he was named its National Executive Director. On March 9, 2010, AYSO
announced the resignation of Davis, effective May 11, 2010.
provided live commentary for the match pitting the champions of the Western Soccer Alliance and the American Soccer League
. He would provide television commentary at both the 1990 and 1994 World Cups for ABC. He continues to work as a commentator for Los Angeles Galaxy
games.
Davis was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame
in 2001.
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
and grew up in Claremont, California
Claremont, California
Claremont is a small affluent college town in eastern Los Angeles County, California, United States, about east of downtown Los Angeles at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. The population as of the 2010 census is 34,926. Claremont is known for its seven higher-education institutions, its...
) is a retired American soccer midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, and former captain of the U.S. National Team for much of the 1980s. He is considered by many the best U.S.-born player of the North American Soccer League era and is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame
National Soccer Hall of Fame
The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 that honors soccer achievements in the United States.-History:...
.
Youth
Davis began playing soccer at the age of seven for an AYSO soccer team in Claremont, CaliforniaClaremont, California
Claremont is a small affluent college town in eastern Los Angeles County, California, United States, about east of downtown Los Angeles at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. The population as of the 2010 census is 34,926. Claremont is known for its seven higher-education institutions, its...
. He was an All American high school player at Damien High School in La Verne, California
La Verne, California
La Verne is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 31,063 at the 2010 census, down from 31,638 at the 2000 census.-History:...
. In 1977, he played a single season of college soccer
College soccer
College soccer is a term used to describe association football played by teams who are operated by colleges and universities as opposed to a professional league operated for exclusively financial purposes...
at Santa Clara University
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara University is a private, not-for-profit, Jesuit-affiliated university located in Santa Clara, California, United States. Chartered by the state of California and accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, it operates in collaboration with the Society of Jesus , whose...
While at Santa Clara, he was a member of the Broncos team which took the U-19 National Open Championship (McGuire Cup).
Professional
An American on a team of international superstars with the Cosmos, he helped the team to three league titles in 1978, 1980 and 1982. He began playing with the team during the 1978 season and was selected as the 1979 North American Player of the Year in his second season.In 1983, the St. Louis Steamers
St. Louis Steamers (1979–1988)
The original St. Louis Steamers played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1979 through 1988. Their home fixtures were held at the St. Louis Arena.-Ownership:* Ben Kerner & Partnership * Thomas M...
of the Major Indoor Soccer League signed Davis away from the Cosmos. Davis moved just in time to avoid the collapse of the Cosmos. Despite numerous nagging injuries, Davis led the Steamers in scoring and was an integral part of the team's run to the MISL championship series which the Steamers lost to the Baltimore Blast
Baltimore Blast (1980-92)
Baltimore Blast were a longtime member of the Major Indoor Soccer League. From 1978 to 1980, the team was played as Houston Summit but moved prior to the 1980-81 season. The team won the league's championship in 1984. The team folded when the MISL ceased operation in the summer of 1992.-History:The...
. He played one more season with the Steamers before moving to the New York Express
New York Express
This article is about the former indoor soccer team.The New York Express were a soccer team based out of Uniondale, New York that played in the Major Indoor Soccer League. They played only one season, the 1986-1987 season. Their home arena was Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum...
, an MISL expansion team heavily staffed by former Cosmos players. The team lasted until the 1986-1987 All-Star break, when it folded.
In March 1987, Davis moved to the Tacoma Stars for the remainder of the 1986-1987 season. In January 1989, Davis injured his knee, requiring multiple surgeries. He was on the roster for the 1989 Seattle Storm
Seattle Storm (soccer)
Football Club Seattle Storm, also known as the F.C. Seattle Storm, was an American soccer team based in Seattle, Washington. F.C. Seattle was a "super club" created to provide Seattle players an opportunity to play at a higher level than the local recreational and semi-pro leagues. In addition to...
of the Western Soccer Alliance. In 1990, he retired from playing professional soccer.
National team
Davis became an integral part of the U.S. national team in 1977, first with the U.S. Olympic team and U20 teams, then the senior national team. Between September 11 and October 4, 1976, the U.S. U-20 national team played the qualifying games for the 1977 FIFA World U-20 Championship. While the team went 5-2, it failed to qualify. Davis led the team scoring with eight goals. When he was 17 years old, he made his senior national team debut in a September 15, 1977 match against El SalvadorEl Salvador national football team
El Salvador's national football team represents El Salvador in international football and is sanctioned by the Federación Salvadoreña de Fútbol . In 1899, Santa Ana and San Salvador met for the first hosted football game in El Salvador...
. Even more, he scored his first international goal in that game. He became a regular on the team, playing in all eight U.S. matches in 1977. Davis continued to play for the Olympic team, which qualified for the 1980 Summer Olympics
1980 Summer Olympics
The 1980 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Moscow in the Soviet Union. In addition, the yachting events were held in Tallinn, and some of the preliminary matches and the quarter-finals of the football tournament...
. However, President Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
's boycott
Boycott
A boycott is an act of voluntarily abstaining from using, buying, or dealing with a person, organization, or country as an expression of protest, usually for political reasons...
of those games, held in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, stopped the team from competing. Davis played for the U.S. in the 1984 Olympics
Football at the 1984 Summer Olympics
The football tournament at the 1984 Summer Olympics started on July 29 and ended on August 11. It featured only a men's tournament, as women's football had yet to become an Olympic event. It was the first Olympic football competition in which professionals were allowed...
, where he scored two goals in the U.S. victory over Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
. In 1984, he was also named the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year
U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year
The U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year is given by the United States Soccer Federation to the American soccer players judged best in the calendar year. It is the longest running major American soccer award...
, the first year of the award. He played again at the 1988 Summer Olympics
Football at the 1988 Summer Olympics
Final results for the football competition at the 1988 Summer Olympics. The tournament was held from September 17, 1988 to October 1, 1988.-Medal summary:...
. Davis' experience and leadership led him to being named captain of the U.S. national team. In this capacity, he led the team during 1988, and was looking forward to the 1990 FIFA World Cup
1990 FIFA World Cup
The 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 8 June to 8 July 1990 in Italy, the second country to host the event twice. Teams representing 116 national football associations from all six populated...
qualifying games in 1989. However, he suffered a serious knee injury in January 1989. Although he tried to work himself back into shape in order to make the World Cup roster, U.S. coach Bob Gansler
Bob Gansler
Bob Gansler is a Hungarian-born American soccer player and coach of German descent. He coached the US National Team at the 1990 World Cup, the team's first appearance at the tournament since 1950....
never called him back to the team, and Davis retired from playing. Overall, he earned 36 caps (a record at the time), scoring seven goals for the senior national team.
Team management
After his retirement from playing, Davis became the head coach and general manager of the Los Angeles SalsaLos Angeles Salsa
The Los Angeles Salsa was an American Professional Soccer League franchise. The club played on the campus of California State University, Fullerton at Titan Stadium in a suburb of Orange County, California...
of the American Professional Soccer League
American Professional Soccer League
The American Professional Soccer League is a former professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. It was the first outdoor soccer league to feature teams from throughout the United States since the demise of the original North American Soccer League...
. In 2004, he was named Director of Programs for AYSO
American Youth Soccer Organization
The American Youth Soccer Organization is a non-profit soccer organization in the United States for children aged 4 through 19. Headquartered in Torrance, California, AYSO has local programs known as "regions" in all 50 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago...
, and in 2006, he was named its National Executive Director. On March 9, 2010, AYSO
American Youth Soccer Organization
The American Youth Soccer Organization is a non-profit soccer organization in the United States for children aged 4 through 19. Headquartered in Torrance, California, AYSO has local programs known as "regions" in all 50 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago...
announced the resignation of Davis, effective May 11, 2010.
Broadcasting
Davis has also had a long career in soccer broadcasting. In 1989, he and JP DellacameraJP Dellacamera
John Paul Dellacamera , known as JP , is an American sportscaster for Major League Soccer with the Philadelphia Union and the Fox Soccer Channel.-Soccer:...
provided live commentary for the match pitting the champions of the Western Soccer Alliance and the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
. He would provide television commentary at both the 1990 and 1994 World Cups for ABC. He continues to work as a commentator for Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
games.
Davis was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame
National Soccer Hall of Fame
The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 that honors soccer achievements in the United States.-History:...
in 2001.
NASL
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | NY Cosmos New York Cosmos The New York Cosmos were an American soccer club based in New York City, New York and its suburbs. The team played home games in three stadiums around New York before moving in 1977 to Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, where it remained for the rest of its history... |
11 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 1979 | NY Cosmos | 29 | 6 | 13 | 25 |
| 1980 | NY Cosmos | 14 | 1 | 8 | 10 |
| 1981 | NY Cosmos | 17 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 1982 | NY Cosmos | 21 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| 1983 | NY Cosmos | 29 | 5 | 12 | 22 |
| 1984 | NY Cosmos | 8 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| TOTAL | NASL | 129 | 15 | 41 | 71 |
MISL
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983/84 | St. Louis St. Louis Steamers (1979–1988) The original St. Louis Steamers played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1979 through 1988. Their home fixtures were held at the St. Louis Arena.-Ownership:* Ben Kerner & Partnership * Thomas M... |
43 | 36 | 21 | 57 | 16 |
| 1984/85 | St. Louis | 40 | 27 | 31 | 58 | 4 |
| 1985/86 | St. Louis | 40 | 26 | 29 | 55 | 12 |
| 1986/87 | New York New York Express This article is about the former indoor soccer team.The New York Express were a soccer team based out of Uniondale, New York that played in the Major Indoor Soccer League. They played only one season, the 1986-1987 season. Their home arena was Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum... |
23 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 2 |
| Tacoma Tacoma Stars The Tacoma Stars were a franchise in the original Major Indoor Soccer League. The team existed from 1983 - 1992 and is notable for two reasons. First, the team holds the record for the largest crowd to witness an indoor soccer game with 21,728 people packing the Tacoma Dome to see Tacoma fall to... |
20 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 2 | |
| 1987/88 | Tacoma | 53 | 22 | 29 | 51 | 12 |
| 1989/90 | Tacoma | 25 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 6 |
| TOTAL | MISL | 244 | 127 | 124 | 251 | 54 |