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Jurgen Klinsmann's stable of youth coaches continues to evolve.
Richie Williams was hired by U.S. Soccer as the coach of the Under-18 national team on Monday, joining Caleb Porter (U-23) and Tab Ramos (U-20) as recent youth coaching hires under Klinsmann who will look to discover and develop the next generation of U.S. talent. Williams' predecessor, Mike Matkovich, had held the U-18 coaching post since December, 2008.
"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," Williams said in a U.S. Soccer release. "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."
Williams, who was unceremoniously fired as assistant coach by the New York Red Bulls just weeks before the start of the 2011 MLS season, told SBI that he had been working for U.S. Soccer in a youth development advising capacity since last month. A former standout MLS player and U.S. international, Williams was inducted into D.C. United's Hall of Tradition on Oct. 15. He begins his duties as U-18 coach effective immediately.
What do you think of the hire? How do you feel about the U.S. youth program going forward?
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