David D'Errico has spent his entire life playing, following, supporting, and doing business within the world of American soccer. David Falk of GOALSeattle.com recently exhanged emails with the first ever Seattle Sounders draft choice (1974) and former US Nats Captain. 33 years on D'Errico still remembers his days with the NASL Sounders and his time with the US National Team of the 1970's as if they were just last week.

Need a refresher? 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_D'Errico

How did you first get involved in soccer?

I started playing soccer when I was two. I have 3 older brothers Michael, Anthony and Tommy who  played club and high school ball. My dream was to represent Harrison High School and the Kearney Scots, get a college education and play professionally and be the Captain of the US Team.

My high school, Harrison High, had and still has an amazing tradition. We have won the most state championships in NJ history despite having a total of 700 plus kids.

That great tradition and the foreign players that came directly from Scotland, Ireland, England, Germany, Italy, Portugal, made for a fantastic cauldron for creating great soccer players.

My club team, the Kearney Scots, we wore the “Hoops” of Glasgow Celtic, and the surrounding clubs produced many college, professional and national team players. Eddie Austin, Hugh O’Neill, Santiago Formoso, John Harkes, Tab Ramos, Tony Meola, Harry Harrison, etc.

Amazingly, we have at least 4 players that became Captains of the National Team. Soccer was life to me and my friends. We played soccer every chance we could. I lived in government housing in the Harrison Gardens and would leave at 7:30 in the morning and would play ball with my friends at “The Courts” 'til 9:30pm.

The Courts was and still is a converted tennis court. Imagine us playing tennis in Harrison, NOT. Every time they put up new nets we would tear them down. They finally got the message and took out the tennis posts and made it a full time soccer court.

In the winter, with the snow above our waist, we would beg, borrow or steal shovels, shovel the courts and play day and night.

We had round-robin games all day and night. Winner stays on. Loser had to wait until they could get another shot at playing.
 

I was born in Newark, NJ and grew up in Harrison, NJ. There is a great tradition of soccer in Harrison, Kearney and Newark with New York right across the river.

We had many great players from the 1920’s and on that played for their factory teams and beat some of the top European “Pro” teams that toured the US.

The “Old Timers” would tell us the stories and show us the old boots they wore with metal plates on the toes and studs that were nailed into the bottom of the shoe by the cobbler. One guy showed me his shins with all the scars and purple patches and how tough it was to play in those days.

That was the legacy we had to measure up to and be better than. It wasn’t enough to be a good ball player you had to be a tough guy who could take it and dish it out too. A guy was expected to handle the pressure no matter who or where you played, no matter how important the game and the amount of people.

Tell us about the US national team in the 1970's.

I was very fortunate. I played 21 times for the US. One of my most memorable was playing vs. Poland at Memorial Stadium in Seattle. They had some of the greatest players in the world, Deyna, Szarmach, Zmuda, Gorgon, Tomaziewski, etc.

My former state team coach from NJ was the coach. For whatever reason he would not play me in the game. I was livid. The crowd was chanting my name. Finally he put me in. I had chills up my spine because I was playing in front of my home fans. I will never forget that game.

The National Team in the 70’s was nothing like it is now. When we traveled to Poland and Italy in '75 we had just played in our league game, flew to New York to play against a NY Select Team, flew to Poland then onto Italy with virtually no preparation time. We were given $200 per game to represent the United States.

It is a custom in soccer to exchange your jersey with an opponent to remember him and playing against their team. Our team was so poor you couldn’t exchange jerseys. If you did they would fine you for the cost of the jersey. We had to steal our own jersey if we wanted to have something to remember our time with the National Team.

Who were some of the guys on the squad?

Some of my best friends and best Americans and great characters from the NJ/NY/Philly area were Bobby Smith, Bobby Rigby, (Both played on the NASL Champions Philadelphia Atoms and New York Cosmos,) Shep Messing also with the Cosmos. Arnie Mauser the goalkeeper with Tampa Bay, Santiago Formoso, NY Cosmos, Boris Bandov, Freddie Grgurev , Dennis Witt.

The St Louie connection had Al Trost, (Hall of Famer), Pat McBride, Ty Keough, Denny Vanniger, Greg Villa, Steve Petcher, Tony Bellinger, Mark and Buzz Demling,

California had Ricky Davis, (NY Cosmos), Johnny Moore, Mike Ivanow, Archie Robostof.

Who were some of your coaches?

The best coach I ever had was Dettmar Cramer. Coach of Bayern Munich, (coached Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Muller, Berti Vogts, Sepp Meir, 1974 World Cup Winners) and assistant to legendary German coach Sepp Herberger 1966’ and coach who won the 50’ World Cup by upsetting the brilliant and heavily favored Hungary with their talisman Ferenc Puskas.

Herr, (Mister) Cramer played as a winger in Germany and was a former paratrooper in WWII. He was very small in stature but gigantic as a personality, person, player, tactician, and brilliant with man and game management.

I also had Al Miller, coach of Hartwick and NASL Champions Philadelphia Atoms, Manfred Schellshied and another great guy and coach who nearly got us to the '78 World Cup, Walter Chyzowych

Where did you guys travel for matches?

We were very fortunate at the time. We played in Warsaw and Poznan in Poland. We traveled to Rome, brilliant city and cool people. We saw St Peter’s Basilica, Michelangelo’s Pieta, Mona Lisa, and the Coliseum and ate tons of pasta.

Our game was vs. the Italian National Team at the Olympic Stadium, home to Lazio and Roma, in the best stadium I ever played in. We played vs. some of the best players in the world, Facchetti of Inter, Rivera of AC Milam, Riva, Mazzola, Chinaglia, and Rocca.

After the game we traveled across Italy to Pescara on the Adriatic. It is right on the water and the beaches were serene and the water was a crystal clear blue.

We traveled to the great Azteca Stadium in Mexico, Guatemala, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, to play vs. famous clubs like Alianza Lima, Universitario, etc.

I also traveled to England, Greece, (saw the Parthenon in Athens), Warsaw and the Warsaw Ghetto, played soccer for Dundalk in the Irish 1st Division with my great friend Bobby Smith.
 

Any big wins or close calls even back then?
We had great rivals in Mexico and Canada. We played vs. Mexico in LA in the Rose Bowl. It was one of my best games for the National Team. The joint was packed with Mexican fans. They had brilliant players such as Hugo Sanchez, (of Real Madrid fame), Aguirre, Leonardo Cuellar, Hugo and Leo were my teammates with the San Diego Sockers in the NASL), We held them to a 0-0 draw.

One of our toughest rivals was Canada; they had the Lennarduzzi brothers, Bob and Sam, Bruce Wilson, Sounders goalkeeper Tony Chursky, Wes McCleod. We played them in one of my favorite cities, (besides Seattle of course), in the world, Vancouver BC. Boris Bandov, our most lethal striker for the National Team, scored a scorching 35 yard dip volley over Tony Chursky; we were up 1-0 in Canada. No one ever did that at the time.

One of our defenders whacked the Canadian guy and got a yellow card for arguing, not the foul. He then loses his cool again and whacks another player 10 minutes later, still argues and gets another yellow. We’re down to 10 men. Canada gets a tremendous lift and scores the equalizer, 1-1.

We would have been the 1st team to beat Canada in Canada and given us the chance to advance to the World Cup in Argentina in '78.

Canada did well against Mexico, we ended up having to play a playoff game against Canada in Haiti, we were all over them, and Canada scored a lucky rebound. We’re down 1-0. The same player loses his cool again, and cracks one of their players at midfield and gets a straight red card and we ended up losing 3-0 and lost our lifetime dream of playing in a World Cup.

What was it like to be the first-ever player drafted in Seattle Sounders history?

 
It was an amazing honor. I had never been to the West Coast or Seattle. They didn’t have the internet then where I could do research about the people, city, food, soccer, etc. I just knew I wanted to make a change and check it out. I heard great things about the city and its people so I made the leap of faith, finished my college degree in History at Hartwick College and headed to Seattle.

Was it a tough transition from Hartwick to Seattle and the NASL?

Yes it was. I thought I was a bad boy Italiano from Jersey ready to kick some major soccer tail. I was in for a rude awakening. The guys were smarter, faster, and tougher, could concentrate longer and really knew the game.

I had to practice on my own or with friends hours after I left the training ground. And the only way I was going to get better and get into the 1st team was to focus my mind, body, spirit by perfecting my thinking, skills and understanding of the game.

 

Talk about some memories of those early years in Memorial Stadium.

 I love the people and the stadium. They loved us and treated us like “Rock Stars." I felt like The Beatles, Stones, Jim Morrison, Jimmy Hendricks, Janis Joplin, and Cat Stevens rolled into One. They especially loved me because of being an outspoken Jersey Boy with the long Lions Mane.
 

What was it like to play there?

It was a RUSH. I always would dream of great things I would do the days before I played. And I would try to make them happen when I played.

The fans were brilliant. They supported us no matter what. They were a very knowledgeable group because they came mostly from European countries and worked at Boeing.

The small field was to our advantage because the fans loved us and it put tremendous pressure on the opponents. We had to play a tight South American passing game; otherwise the ball would run away from you.
 

I hated the Astroturf. The ball ran away from you too much and I got all my injuries on the Turf. I also loved to slide tackle and the turf would rip up my legs.

How was the move to the Kingdome?

I loved the move to the Kingdome, especially when we opened up vs. Pele and the NY Cosmos. My friend Bobby Smith from Jersey was a starting defender for them so it was a great experience. But, I also missed the intimacy of Memorial Stadium.
 

What was your 'biggest' or most favorite moment as a Sounder?
 

One of my biggest was playing against Pele and the NY Cosmos. The biggest was being chosen as the Captain of the United States National.

The players who mentored me the most were Jimmy Gabriel and Mike England.

Jimmy taught me how to make a disguise pass, (like a no-look pass in basketball) and Mike and I used to play 1 or 2 touch from 40 or 50 yards away. Mike also taught me to mark my attacker and pick out the 1st attacking option while I was defending, whether it was heading or passing on the ground. Mike also taught me how to win a ball vs. tall and aggressive forwards.

 

What was it like to play for John Best & Jimmy Gabriel?
John was a good guy and a good player. I related very well to Jimmy, 1st because he is a Scot, I played with them my whole life; he was a funny guy and was an excellent and passionate player.
 

How did it come about that you left the Sounders?  

Long story. I just came back as the Captain of the US team. We had a practice on a wet Memorial Stadium; a lot of guys were getting hurt and leaving practice. I stayed on and Terry White, an American guy, always pushed the ball too long and would come over the top of the ball. He did it to me and I ended up with a double break in the fibula and I snapped a ligament in my ankle.
I was scheduled to replace Mike England. I knew what Mike was making and was holding out for the same money even though my ankle was broken. The GM Jack Daley wanted to pay me less then half of what Mike was making.

I was supposed to be out 12 weeks. I came back to play in the 1st team for the Minnesota Kicks in 9 1/2 weeks.

What path did your soccer career take after you left the Sounders?
Amazingly, I had 3 chances to play for the NY Cosmos, 1st when I was drafted, 2nd after I left Seattle and 3rd when I left Minnesota to play for New England. I played for Minnesota, New England, Rochester, San Diego and won 3 MISL Championships with the NY Arrows.


Is our current national team going to come out of its struggle to organize and end up more competitive in 2010?
This is an excellent question. We must set a goal and standards and most importantly and electric style of soccer for the United States. Otherwise we will be always be trying to survive and struggle for victories. Our challenge is not to qualify from our region, that’s easy, 3 teams get to qualify from Concacaf.

When we played only 1 team qualified from our group. We must make Winning the World Cup our only objective. And even that is not good enough; it must be won with “Genius”, Art, Passion and Fair Play.

The next objective is to get the entire soccer community involved in this “Genius Soccer” an American Style. It simply means the “Best of the Best”.
The best philosophy, the best players, coaches, administrators, standards, tactics, skills, thinking ahead, vision, fitness, defense, Free Kicks, Goalkeeping, preparation. Etc.
It is not enough to have 1 each of a Pele, Beckenbauer, Cruyff, Best, and Banks. We have to have many players that are even better. Brazil have already won 5 World Cup medals since 1958 and will continue to win more because of their philosophy, skills, tactics and most important their system that produces brilliant players.

Brazil doesn’t just take kids from the favelas, (ghettos) or beaches and throw them a soccer ball. They have very specific philosophies, standards, systems, patterns, that are constantly measured to make sure they stay ahead of the competition.

If we only seek results we will always be reactive. We must be proactive. We must all work together to know what the Federations and Bob Bradley’s plans are in order for us to help him and the country.

Also we have to become more inclusive of all soccer players and organizations in the US. That means African American and Hispanic players and their strengths must be incorporated into our style of play.

Today, based on the current cost to play here in the US, me and my buddies would never have been able afford a college education or play professionally. All over the world top players are scouted and recruited by professional clubs and play for their Academy teams for free. This is the best way to identify and promote players who are loyal to your club and are the most economical system as well.

Many foreign clubs are spending billions of dollars a year to buy great players instead of investing and encouraging brilliant play within their own academies.

We have to vertically integrate all of the soccer bodies in America to aggregate all of our expertise, people, resources to create the most exciting and most winning soccer players and teams in the world.

What do you think of MLS?

MLS must work together...that speaks directly to the owners, management and players and explain that if we don’t have the best, most exciting product in the world then we will not create exciting games and loyal fans. This entire league is based on WOM, (Word of Mouth). The last 2 Finals here at the Pizza Hut Park in Frisco Texas were boring until the last part of the game. Both teams were afraid to lose and lacked passion and GENIUS.

People are always going to tell other people when they see great soccer. The Houston fans were great. They supported their team throughout the whole game and the results showed it.

Are you a fan?

I am a fan of the USMNT and MLS. I am also a fan of players and teams that are a vital part of the community. One of the things that made me LOVE Seattle was the people and the way they treated me as a person and a player. We did clinics, camps, interviews, signed autographs, met them after the game, had dinner at their homes.

After the 2 MLS Finals I attended there was no get together after the game for the fans that traveled from all over the world to meet their heroes, take photographs with their kids, sign their magazine, and speak to them.

This game is bigger than 1 player or team. Without the love, support and JOY of the fans there is no league. This is the biggest driving force in making this league the most successful league in the world.

What about the Beckham signing?

On the surface it is brilliant. I applaud Lamar Hunt, (God rest his soul), Philip Anschutz and Tim Lieweke. It will magnetize the entire league and sport. David is a great player and professional. I was just in London and saw his Academy, (backed by AEG), met his Mom, nice lady, and it was impressive.
He is a true visionary. He sees his and Posh’s future and his launching pad for all his worldwide endeavors.

There were many brilliant players and coaches that made up this league with far greater accomplishments than DB. Pele, 3 World Cup Medals, Beckenbauer and Carlos Alberto, Muller, Banks, Best, Seattle’s own Geoff Hurst and Bobby Moore, Hollzenbein with 1 each. Geniuses such as Cruyff, Best, Cubillas, Neeskens, Suubieer, etc.

MLS must look at a support staff of brilliant players and coaches and again the overriding benchmark must be “Genius Soccer.”

One of the downfalls of the NASL was a lack of planned growth and employing these great players for the long term. The worst thing that could happen is to bring players over here, pay them big wages and then they take off with their money and not support the long term programs of the MLS and National Team.

Do you still keep up with the Sounders today in their USL reincarnation?

I try to as much as I can. I hope that Seattle will have an MLS franchise very soon.

When was the last time you visited Seattle?
Just recently. My sons Aaron and Adam and their Mom live up in the San Juan's on Friday Harbor. It is a magical place.

What was it like to see "The Emerald City" all grown up?
It is amazing. When I 1st got there, they only had 1 good Italian restaurant. Now they have great restaurants all over.

The people were awesome and treated us like kings. I still have many friends and people who come up to me when I play in tournaments or visit.

 

What are you up to today?

I own an Internet Soccer/Sports Portal called www.iam360soccer.com (www.myspace.com/iam360soccer ). It is an online soccer/sports portal that provides websites, teaching, testing, player identification, recruiting and branding and marketing for Soccer/Sports companies.

The site features the entire Bayern Munich Academy Online Video Training program from Under 11 to Under 19. It features players like Owen Hargreaves, top player for England in the 2006 World Cup, Phillip Lamm, the left fullback for Germany that scored the opening goal vs. Costa Rica and Sweinsteiger, the forward who scored 3 goals in the 3rd place game vs. Portugal.

The videos allows players and coaches to see and train like some of the top youth players who are now playing for the best clubs in the world and representing their national teams.

Our site also features what we call our “Genius Soccer” Academy Program. It allows a coach to create their won video library for their players and teams in a club and we also have the “Genius Soccer” Combine that puts the players through a series of tests, compares them to the top players in the world and allows us to promote the players to college or pro teams.

Read more about the 1970's NASL Sounders in their GOALSeattle.com museum section.

Former Sounders can contact us HERE. Our "Where are they now?" Pages start HERE.

D'Errico and his sons are currently working on a book about David's career.