Tennessee Soccer Club

Coaching License:
USSF National C License

Coaching Experience:
Tennessee Soccer Club Coach (2012-present)
Harpeth Futbol Club, Director of Soccer Operations
Tennessee State Soccer, Outreach Director
Nashville Metros, Head Coach and General Manager
Revolution Futbol Club, Director of Coaching
Illinois State ODP, Coach
Operating Director, Upper90 Management LLC Director, Music City Street Soccer Cup
Director of Rico Laise Soccer Academy 

Coaching Accomplishments:
Until he immigrated to the United States at the age of ten, Rico Laise lived in an urban barrio (Iglesia Flores) in San Jose, Costa Rica. His upbringing was characterized by two things which would shape his life irrevocably; relative poverty and soccer. In a home with no TV, no telephone, no automobile, and few other modern distractions, soccer was his outlet. He grew up playing in the streets on a daily basis – without proper balls, equipment and fields. It is this personal experience that gives him special insight into urban soccer, underserved kids, and minority status. He would go on to play as a young man, both in the United States and his native Costa Rica. Rico discovered that his greatest gift was not as a player, but as a coach. For 17 years, he has coached youth teams in Illinois and Tennessee winning 11 state championships in the process.

From 2006 through 2009, Rico was the Director of Coaching for the Nashville Metros FC, a club that he started while also serving as the Head Coach of the Nashville Metros PDL(Professional Development League) side. He also coached the Tennessee Rhythm in 1999 when the team was rescued from financial difficulties caused by withdrawal of a major sponsor. He has remained heavily involved in soccer, serving as director of player development for the Revolution Futbol Club in Dickson, operating the Rico Laise Soccer Academy for youth players throughout the region, and representing players as an agent. He now is the Managing Director of Upper90 Management, a soccer consulting company here in Nashville, TN.

Rico is also known as an innovator within the Nashville Hispanic community. He helped to start the Metros Hispanic Academy and his current teams carry a significant number of very talented Hispanic players.

11 State Champions 2 State Finalists 
Currently has a 10 year run with a State Champion or Finalist 
Guided the Harpeth FC 97 boys and 94 boys to the first ever Division 1 State Championships Finals in the history of the club. 97's were TN Champions, 94's were finalists the same weekend this past November

Have coached and developed players at all levels, from High School, College to Major League Soccer

Playing Experience:
Product of Deportivo Saprissa Youth Program, Costa Rica
Racing Santander, Spain Segunda Division
Long Island Rough Riders, USISL
Chattanooga Express, USISL
Nashville Rhythm, A-League
Nashville Metros, USL Premier Development League