Richie Williams

Richie Williams (born June 3, 1970 in New York City) was an American soccer defensive midfielder and was the interim head coach of Red Bull New York of Major League Soccer following the dismissal of Mo Johnston. He is known for his diminutive height (5'5") and his dogged tackling. He made his name with D.C. United of Major League Soccer.

Williams' career has been closely tied to Bruce Arena, former coach of the United States men's national team and current coach of Red Bull New York. Arena first coached Williams at the University of Virginia. The two parted ways after Williams graduated; in 1993 Williams played with Ayr United in Scotland but then came back to the United States, signing with the Richmond Kickers of the USISL. Richie played three years with the Kickers, helping them to the USISL title and the US Open Cup in 1995, the last pre-MLS year. During his time with the Kickers, he spent his winters playing indoor soccer with the Buffalo Blizzard.

Williams was drafted by Arena, who then coached DC United, in the fourth round of the 1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft. Making up for his height with his ferocious shadowing of the opponent's top playmaker, he became an integral member of the early DC teams, helping them to three MLS Cup titles. Arena left DC after three years, but, in his first game as the new US coach, gave Williams his first cap, on November 10, 1998, against Australia. Overall, Richie has appeared 20 times for the national team.

Williams was traded to the MetroStars for Mike Ammann in 2001, spent a year there and was sent back to DC for Brian Kamler. His MLS career ended with the Metros in a trade with Eddie Pope and Jaime Moreno for Mike Petke, a draft pick, and an allocation before the 2003 season. Williams tallied just eight goals and added 33 assists in 216 regular season games in MLS (plus two goals and four assists in 26 playoff games).

Williams signed with his original American team Richmond Kickers prior to the 2004 season, but left the club in September 2005 after disagreements with the coach Leigh Cowlishaw. Williams also spent time as an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of Virginia. In January 2006, he was named an assistant coach with the MetroStars. On June 27, 2006, Williams was named interim head coach of the re-branded New York Red Bulls, and went back as assistant following former United States men's national soccer team head coach Bruce Arena's appointment with the club.