Courtesy of U.S. Soccer Communications:
CHICAGO (Oct. 24, 2011) – U.S. Soccer has named former U.S. international Richie Williams as head coach of the U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team, effective immediately.
Williams becomes the third head coach appointed to a U.S. youth national team since Jurgen Klinsmann began his tenure with the U.S. Men’s National Team, following the announcement that that University of Akron head coach Caleb Porter will lead the Under-23 Men through 2012 Olympic qualifying, while three-time World Cup veteran Tab Ramos will coach the U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team. As part of their duties, the trio will be responsible for player identification and development while integrating the philosophies of the full national team into their programs.
“I’m honored to be given the chance to coach the U-18 Men’s National Team, and I want to thank the U.S. Soccer Federation for the opportunity,” said Williams. “I’m excited about the prospect of helping our young elite players develop their abilities and move them in the direction of progressing to our other national teams. By working together with Jurgen Klinsmann, Caleb Porter and Tab Ramos, we will have an integrated approach in developing players who will fit in with our style of play.”
Wiliams boasts an impressive resume of success as a player and seasoning as a coach. A three-time MLS Cup champion, Williams has also collected two Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup titles. His 20 caps with the U.S. National Team include a championship medal from the 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
The former U.S. National Team midfielder was most recently assistant coach for the New York Red Bulls, where he spent five seasons that included two stints as interim head coach. Williams began his coaching career in 2005 as an assistant coach for the men’s soccer team at his alma mater, the University of Virginia, where he coached two seasons.
To complete the coaching vacancies on the men’s side of the program, U.S. Soccer Director of Scouting Tony Lepore will coach the U-15 Boys National Team, and the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Technical Advisors will handle the coaching duties of the U-14 National Identification Program.
