Bite Me Randy Newman

You undoubtedly remember my impassioned leadership of the effort to bring D.C. United's headquarters and USL franchise (Loudoun United) to Loudoun County. My three-minute speech before the Loudoun Board of Supervisors is widely credited with pushing the issue over the top. At least that's what I tell folks.

The ground has been broken for the new facilities, and while the parent club and Loudoun United likely won't move to my town for several months, D.C. United did make a recent announcement that tells me it was all worth it.

The club announced last week that Richie Williams would be the first head coach in Loudoun United history. Williams played 169 games for D.C. United in the late 90s and early 2000s, also earning 20 caps with the U.S. Men's National Team. He helped those early D.C. United squads win three MLS Cups as a tenacious defensive midfielder.

But, as his Wikipedia entry shows, Williams has a lot to recommend him to Gheorghies. Let's start with the fact that he was born a mere five days before yours truly, and continue on with the fact that our growth rates followed a similar path. From Wikipedia, "Known for his diminutive height and his dogged tackling...", is something I'd welcome on my tombstone. Williams is listed at 5'5". That might be generous.

Size isn't the only thing that may endear Williams to our number, though. He grew up in Middletown Township, NJ, a mere 30 miles from North Brunswick. There's a reasonable chance that Williams laid a crunching tackle on Dave at some point. And a greater chance that Dave hacked him down in a fit of pique.

At Loudoun United, Williams has a challenge in front of him. With 29 days until the season opener, the team barely has a full roster, doesn't yet have a full-time home stadium, and hasn't played a preseason game. There will be lumps.

I'm just hoping that the Father of Professional Soccer in Loudoun County (that's me, obviously) gets to spend some quality time with my fellow diminutive midfielder.