An Open opportunity for Revs
Revolution assistant coach Richie Williams understands the status that comes with trophies in professional soccer.
Williams was on D.C. United’s roster in 1996 when the club captured both the U.S. Open Cup and the MLS Cup in the same season. Williams won three MLS crowns with the United, two under Revs coach Bruce Arena. He also won the CONCACAF Gold Cup with the U.S. National Team in 2002.
“The first thing I’m passing on to the players is winning a championship is a big thing,” said Williams following team practice on Tuesday. “It is something that every day we are here, we are competing for the MLS Cup, we are competing for the U.S. Open Cup and we were obviously in the Champions League.
“It’s a great accomplishment to win a tournament and again knockout tournaments are never easy. The U.S. Open Cup is not easy so it would be a great accomplishment. Drawing from my time involved in winning the championship, you have to be ready and it can be unpredictable at times.”
The Revolution and FC Cincinnati are two of the seven MLS squads participating in the field of 32 teams selected to compete for the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Revolution (3-5-2) begin Cup play against FC Cincinnati (5-5-1) tonight (7) at Gillette Stadium.
“It’s a high priority for us and we go out in every game to compete and win and get a good result,” said Williams. “That’s the way we are approaching the game.
“We will have a lineup on the field that we feel is going to compete and be able to win the game. That’s our message to the team when we head out there and again, the U.S. Cup is very important to us.
“Any competition we are in we want to do well and win and advance and win a championship. Fortunately, we are playing at home but you have to be ready for anything and Cincinnati is having a good year.”
The U.S. Open Cup is the oldest national soccer competition in the Unites States and was initiated in the 1913-14 season. The Cup series was suspended in 2020 and 2021 due to the global pandemic. The Revolution were the Cup champions in 2007 and midfielder Tommy McNamara believes a good showing in the tournament can compensate for the team’s poor start this season.
“I am excited for it and it is another trophy to compete for,” said McNamara. “It has a big benefit to winning it and getting back into the Champions League.
“We are excited for the opportunity and we are happy that it is back again. It presents an opportunity for all the levels of American soccer to compete for this trophy.”
The Revolution are coming off a hard luck 2-2 draw with the Columbus Crew on May 7 at Gillette. The Revs surrendered the tying goal in the 89th minute and late giveaways have plagued the team all season. The Revolution resume MLS play on Sunday (1:30 p.m.) at Atlanta United.