Assistant Coach
Richie Williams At a Glance:
- Coaching veteran with more than 17 years of experience joined the Revolution in June 2019.
- Previously served as head coach for D.C. United’s USL Championship affiliate, Loudoun County FC, in 2019.
- Assisted on Bruce Arena’s staff during two previous stops: the U.S. Men’s National Team from 2017-18, and the New York Red Bulls from 2006-07.
- Won three MLS Cups as a player with D.C. United in 1996, 1997, and 1999.
Richie Williams is entering his fifth season as Assistant Coach for the New England Revolution after joining Bruce Arena’s staff in June 2019. He brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience throughout the American soccer landscape to the Revolution, including his previous role as head coach of D.C. United’s USL Championship affiliate Loudoun United FC.
In his four seasons on New England’s coaching staff, Williams has helped guide the Revolution to three postseason berths, a 2021 Supporters’ Shield title, and an appearance in the 2020 Eastern Conference Final. During the 2020 season, Williams coached the Revolution through three unbeaten games in August 2020 in place of a suspended Bruce Arena, leading New England to a 1-0-2 mark.
Williams, 52, arrived in New England after spending the previous 15 years in a variety of coaching roles within Major League Soccer and the United States Men’s National Team, including two stints as an assistant to Bruce Arena. He served as an assistant coach on Arena’s staff with the USMNT from 2017-18, as well as the New York Red Bulls from 2006-07. While with the Red Bulls as an assistant coach from 2006-11, Williams completed two stints as New York’s interim head coach in 2006 and 2009.
Most recently, Williams served as the first ever head coach of USL Championship side Loudoun United FC in 2019. He led Loudoun to a 2-3-4 record in its inaugural season before departing to join the Revolution’s coaching staff. In addition, Williams spent one season as an assistant coach with Real Salt Lake in 2016. He was head coach of the United States Under-18 National Team from 2011-12 and managed the United States Under-17 National Team from 2012-15.
Williams, a native of Middletown Township, N.J., enjoyed a successful playing career prior to entering the coaching ranks. He played under Arena at multiple stops during his career, including at the University of Virginia from 1988-91, D.C. United from 1996-98, and the United States Men’s National Team from 1998-2002. Williams also overlapped with Revolution Technical Director Curt Onalfo at Virginia for two seasons (1989-90). Williams won an NCAA Championship with the Cavaliers in 1991, before helping D.C. United to four consecutive MLS Cup appearances (1996-99), including championships in 1996, 1997, and 1999, and Supporters’ Shields in 1997 and 1999.
The midfielder appeared in 169 games for D.C. United over six seasons, scoring eight goals. Beginning his career under Arena, Williams remained with D.C. United through the end of the 2000 MLS season before being traded to the New York/New Jersey MetroStars. During the 2001 campaign, Williams made 21 appearances for the MetroStars before eventually being traded back to D.C. United for the 2002 season. Williams would return to the MetroStars for his final season at the MLS level in 2003, again being traded from D.C. United along with Eddie Pope and Jaime Moreno for Mike Petke, a 2003 MLS SuperDraft pick, and allocation money.
Williams also earned 20 international caps with the U.S. Men’s National Team under Arena, highlighted by a CONCACAF Gold Cup title in 2002. He also spent time with the Richmond Kickers in 1993, 1994-95, and 2004-05, Scottish side Ayr United FC from 1993-94, and the Buffalo Blizzard of the NPSL II Indoor League from 1992-93. Williams scored 10 goals over 30 games with the Blizzard during their inaugural season, helping the team reach the league quarterfinals. While with Richmond, in parts of five seasons, Williams was a member of the Kickers’ 1995 U.S. Open Cup and USISL winning squad after returning from a brief stint in Europe.
Richie William's Coaching Background
New England Revolution (Assistant): 2019-Present
Loudoun United FC (Head Coach): 2019
United States Men's National Team (Assistant): 2017-18
Real Salt Lake (Assistant): 2016
United States U-17 Men's National Team (Head Coach): 2012-15
United States U-18 Men's National Team (Head Coach): 2011-12
New York Red Bulls (Assistant): 2006-11
New York Red Bulls (Interim Head Coach): 2009
New York Red Bulls (Interim Head Coach): 2006
University of Virginia (Assistant): 2005-06