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Williams to be inducted into D.C. United Hall of Tradition

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Photo by ISIphotos.com

Richie Williams is set to join some exclusive company at RFK Stadium.

The former D.C. United player will be inducted into the club's Hall of Tradition at halftime of the team's match against the Portland Timbers on Aug. 27. Williams joins John Harkes, Marco Etcheverry, Jeff Agoos, Raul Diaz Arce and Eddie Pope as players to earn the honor.

"Richie was a key member of the early D.C. United teams who set a standard for MLS, which remains unmatched," D.C. United president and CEO Kevin Payne said in a statement. "His intelligence and fiery determination on the field was a critical ingredient in our success. His work rate and understanding of the game allowed our more glamorous players to be successful, but his contributions were no less important to our many championships."

Williams, who spent six seasons with D.C. United and two with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars, was part of three MLS Cup-winning teams. After his playing days he went on to be an assistant coach with the New York Red Bulls until he was shockingly relieved of his duties prior to the start of this season.

What do you think of D.C. honoring Williams? Hope he returns to MLS as a coach? Still surprised that he was let go by New York right before the season?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Did it ever come out what he and the goalkeeping coach were let go for? Was it just that Hans wanted his own guys? Seems weird nothing ever came of it.

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  2. Great to see a class act and winner at every level of the game be recognized like this. As a longtime Metrostars and USMNT supporter, always enjoyed watching him on the field and then as coach, was shocked at the way he was dismissed from NYRB and replaced by a scandanavian coach (from the 2nd and 3rd divisions in Norway??). Something was wrong with that picture for a guy with a great reputation on and off field. RIchie’s record as interim coach with Metros and RB, and no talent or budget, says it all. Congrats on the Hall of Fame and good luck at the helm of an MLS team soon.

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  3. I agree with you actually. “Tradition” means the player upholds what the team’s values are about. It carries more weight for me than “fame,” after all a person can be famous for being a horrific mother. How is that worth enshrining?

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  4. I always liked his fire and competitiveness he might not have been the biggest, fastest or most skillful player, but he was always aware of what was going on around him and was always working to help his team.

    That awareness is what I think led others to trust him as a coach.

    I must admit, I am still shocked that the Red Bull let him go so abruptly.

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  5. Exactly. BTW, I’m not trying to knock Richie, as I think he deserves the honor. I just think “Hall of Tradition” is a stupid name.

    Hall of Excellence, Ring of Honor, Hall of Legends, or something. Just not Hall of Tradition.

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  6. Some United fans scoffed at the idea of him joining Harkes, Etcheverry, Olsen et al, but I for one loved his contribution as a player. He was good in the good seasons, and steadfast in the bad ones. Deserves it, absolutely.

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  7. that’s a fine idea, but you can call it something different. Simply substituting tradition for fame is kind of lame. Ring of Honor, Tradition Hall, etc. would have been fine.

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  8. Guy should def be a head coach…very good player for dc…he is a leader and has won at all levels…still can’t believe nyrrb let him go

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  9. Funny, I actually thought the exact opposite when I heard it. I liked it because it sounds like a higher standard than fame. If you make the Hall of Tradition, you are selected as an example of what the current and future squads should follow, not just that you were famous.

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