Reports both nationally and locally appear to confirm the rumor (previously reported by Paul Tenorio) that Richie Williams, coach of D.C. United’s USL team Loudoun United, is leaving to join the New England Revolution coaching staff under Williams’ former D.C. coach Bruce Arena. Loudoun assistant and current D.C. U-14 coach Gus Teren would presumably take the helm as an interim coach when Loudoun returns to play on June 5 at Swope Park Rangers. Steve Goff also notes that D.C. would receive compensation for claiming Williams, who is under contact with Loudoun, though it remains to be seen what that may be.
The 49-year-old Williams was named coach of Loudoun on January 28 (approximately six weeks before Loudoun’s opener). With Loudoun’s USL stadium expected to open in August, the USL side has spent most of their games on the road, amassing a 2-4-3 record and currently 15th in the 18-team Eastern Conference, though having multiple games in hand on many of their opponents. Williams has incorporated D.C. homegrown professionals Donovan Pines and Griffin Yow at various points in the season, along with Earl Edwards Jr. and Akeem Ward, while balancing a squad that frequently dressed rosters that fell short of the 18-man complement. Yow and fellow D.C. homegrown/Academy player Bryang Kayo featured in the United States’ U-17 CONCACAF Championship earlier this year, and Jack-Jean Baptiste is currently with Honduras in the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
More on this move as we receive it.