HIALEAH, Fla. (June 17, 2024) – Florida National University did not have to look too far in its search for a new women’s soccer head coach, naming Ruy Da Silva as interim on June 17. Da Silva, the famed and successful head Conquistador soccer coach on the men’s side, took over the position following the departure of Giovanni De La Rosa. De La Rosa was the face of women’s soccer at Florida National since the 2017-18 season.
Da Silva aims to bring a wealth of knowledge and recent success in his new position while still maintaining his duties as head coach of the men’s soccer program. FNU men’s soccer has been elevated to the national stage the last two seasons under Da Silva, earning back-to-back trips to the second round of the NAIA Tournament. He earned a 36-12-12 record through four seasons, and the department’s highest winning percentage (.700%) among all current and former FNU coaches.
A native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Da Silva spent three seasons with FNU as a men’s soccer assistant coach, starting in 2017. Da Silva helped FNU conquer two USCAA National Championships during his tenure as an assistant and three USCAA title match appearances. He has taken on various roles with FNU’s athletics department, serving as Sports Information Director in his third year with the university.
Before going into coaching, Da Silva was an accomplished professional athlete. He played beach soccer for the Brazilian National Team and also played eleven years for one of Brazil’s most prestigious teams, C.R. Flamengo.
Women’s soccer and Da Silva will focus on moving forward and rebuilding from a tough 2023 season where FNU posted a 0-9-2 record.
