Richie Williams – USMNT

Richie Williams turned a professional career that rose alongside MLS into coaching at club and national team level. A college player at the dominant University of Virginia, Williams won collegiate championships in 1989 and 1991. He began his pro career in the pre-MLS era playing indoors and for the Richmond Kickers.

With the arrival of MLS in 1996, Williams reunited with his college coach Bruce Arena at DC United. Williams spent five seasons in DC, winning three MLS Cups. He joined conference rivals the MetroStars in 2001, switching back to DC in 02 and finishing his MLS career with the MetroStars in 2003. Williams played an additional two seasons with the Richmond Kickers.

At international level, Williams appeared for the U-20 and U-23 squads making his debut for the senior side in 1998. He was a member of the 2002 Gold Cup winning squad.

Williams retired from playing following the 2005 season with Richmond, going into coaching as an assistant at the University of Virginia. He spent several seasons as an assistant with the MetroStars serving as interim coach twice. He moved to the youth national team setup in 2011 serving as U-18s and U-17s coach. Williams joined Real Salt Lake as an assistant in 2015. In 2017, he also began serving as an assistant with the USMNT.

National Team Highlights

2002: Part of the Gold Cup winning squad.
2001: Played in the Sep 7 World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica.
2000: Played in the Gold Cup and an early World Cup qualifier.
1999: Played in seven games including the four Confederations Cup matches.
1998: Called into one of Bruce Arena's early camps and got his debut against Australia in November.

Professional Highlights

2004: Signed with A-League Richmond Kickers.
2003: Started 26 games with two assists for the MetroStars.
2002: Started 25 of 26 games with three assists with DC United.
2001: Registered two assists in 21 games with MetroStars.
2000: A solid season with a rebuilding squad.
1999: Won his third MLS Cup with United.
1998: Won the CONCACAF Cup and the InterAmerican Cup.
1997: Named to the All-Star team and won his second MLS Cup with United as well as the US Open Cup.
1996: Won the first MLS Cup with DC United.
1993-95: Won the USISL title and the US Open Cup with the Richmond Kickers.
1993: Played with Ayr United in Scotland.

Youth: Played for Mater Dei high school before joining the University of Virginia soccer program. Won two NCAA championships.