It’s been an interesting day for former New York Cosmos players.
Earlier in the day, the Tampa Bay Rowdies resigned forward Sebastian Guenzatti for the 2016 USL Championship season.
A few hours later, the Philadelphia Union announced it had named one-time Cosmos defender Ryan Richter as an assistant coach.
Richter played for the North American Soccer League club during the 2016 and 2017 seasons, and was a member of the Cosmos’ Soccer Bowl championship team in his first year with the squad.
A Philadelphia native, Richter was drafted by the Union in 2011 as the fifth overall pick in the MLS Supplemental draft.
“We’re thrilled to have Ryan join our first team staff as an assistant coach. Since joining the organization as a player, he has developed into an exceptional coach with a proven record of developing top young talent,” Union sporting director Ernst Tanner said in a statement. “His teams were quite successful on the pitch, but just as importantly, they showed the mentality and aggression our philosophy demands. This club is dedicated to success through developing both top young players and coaches, and we believe Ryan is another Homegrown talent that can help our club toward our goals.”
Richter will fill the role of former longtime assistant Pat Noonan, who departed this offseason to assume the head coaching role at FC Cincinnati.
Most recently, Richter served as the head coach of the Union Academy Under-15 team, which he brought to the first MLS Next Cup dinal last season. He also was the director of the Philadelphia Union Junior Academy and as a coach with the Union Academy U12’s and U17’s.
“I’d like to thank Ernst Tanner and Jim Curtin for the opportunity to join the first team staff,” Richter said in a statement. “I’m excited to help build on the culture and philosophy that has driven the club to success over the past seasons. I’d like to thank Richie and Steve Graham, Iain Munro, and Tommy Wilson for their support of me over the past three and a half years working in the academy. I’d also like to thank my colleagues, family, and most importantly the players that I have worked with during my time in the academy. I look forward to seeing their development over the next few years and hope many of them can continue to make the step to the first team.”
Added head coach Jim Curtin: “We’re a club that not only believes in young players, but also young coaches. I got my chance after spending time with our academy and through a similar path Ryan has earned the opportunity to join our first team staff and help us implement our philosophy. I’ve worked with Ryan a lot during our shared time with the club and I’ve seen firsthand what a great coach he is. I’m confident he’s the right person to step in and contribute to this culture of success that our veterans have helped build and that allows our young players to thrive.”
