Originally published on the Nor’easters website

Ahead of the Ocean City Nor’easters friendly exhibition match against Philadelphia Union II this Friday, we had the chance to catch up with former Nor’easter and current Union II Head Coach Ryan Richter.

As a player, he started his professional career with the Philadelphia Union. He won 2 league championships, one with USL’s Charleston Battery, and one with the famed New York Cosmos in the NASL. Near the end of his career, he was signed by the Philadelphia Union’s USL affiliate Bethlehem Steel FC – the team that became Union II – to be their first ever captain during their inaugural season.

He was a standout college player at LaSalle University, racking up numerous accolades there including being named the Soccer Six Player of the Year as a Junior, as well as to the All-Region and All-American Scholar First Teams as a Senior.

While with the Explorers, he played 3 seasons in Ocean City during the college offseasons. He ended his career with the Storm making 45 appearances, scoring 11 goals and adding 5 assists. He was a part of some highly competitive seasons with the Storm, including a run to the US Open Cup 3rd Round in 2009, and a USL-2 Quarter Finals appearance in the playoffs that same year.

Richter, one of the all-time Ocean City appearance leaders, has been a coach within the Philadelphia Union organization since shortly after his retirement as a player back in 2017.

After beginning his coaching journey with the Union Academy teams, he moved up to be an assistant coach for Philly’s first team squad. Ahead of the 2025 season, he was announced as the Head Coach of Union II.

During the interview, he discussed his time playing in Ocean City, his journey and passion for coaching, his thoughts on player development, and the upcoming game with the Nor’easters.

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It’s a wet and grey morning in Chester, but the rain clears up just as the Union II practice winds down. Out on the fields, a mixed group of Union II, Academy, and guest and trialist players stay late to work on their shooting. The coaching staff talks among themselves on the far sideline.

Subaru Park, the looming Commodore Barry Bridge, and the new WSFS Sportsplex facility make for a scenic spot right against the Delaware river, despite the overcast weather. Richter finishes up a discussion with one of his players before making his way over.

He’s relaxed and genial, but he doesn’t shy away from giving passionate answers, especially when it comes to his love for developing players and coaching.

On the Exhibition with Union II:

How did the friendly with the Nor’easters come about?

Ryan Richter:

I’ve kept in touch with those guys over the years, and I still know a couple guys that are in the organization, even though it was a long time ago that I played there. Kevin Nuss [Ocean City’s Sporting Director] reached out and asked about the possibility for it. We found a date that worked, before they get started, and it’s a perfect time for us where we have a little break. So, it’s better to put a game like that, where it’s recreating a more competitive environment.

How do you compare both squads?

That’s what I’m actually really interested to see, It’s high level college players. Our group is a little bit younger than their group. So, it’ll be really interesting to see how the level compares. But that’s one thing I am excited for. I think it should be a competitive game… I’m interested to see the overall quality level and how it compares, because it’s something you wonder a lot when it comes to the pathway to MLS. What is the better path? For our guys, we think it’s through MLS Next Pro but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be a great pathway as well.

How will you approach the match?

Everyone will get an opportunity to play, definitely. But that being said we have to have the mentality here that every time we’re on the field we’re playing to win… I think it should be a good chance for us to look at some of their players. That’s the other other part that’s cool for them is, they’re trying to push guys into the pro-game, and it’s a good opportunity for us to get eyes on some of their guys and for our guys to compete against them.

Richter on the field with the NY Cosmos

On his career as a player:

Let’s take it back to your playing days. What was your experience like with Ocean City?

Richter:

I loved it. it’s the highest amateur level that you could compete in. And it was a great way to play 15 competitive games and train in a good environment. I really liked everything about it. Not bad being down the shore either. But, it was a really good experience for me and some really good players I ended up playing with.

Is there a moment there that sticks out in your memory? 

I think it was ’09 we made a run in the Open Cup, we beat two USL teams, and then ended up losing to DC United down there. So that was a really cool experience. We had some really good players, good teams. I love spending the summers there, and the whole staff that was there at the time, they were really cool to work with. Overall, awesome experience. That’s why I went back three straight years.

Did it prepare you for the professional level?

Yeah, I think the overall level, adding games for your experience, and adding high level training, high level games, helps put you in the window and to keep you improving during the offseason, that’s definitely the best level for college kids that you could compete in.

Once you did take that step to the next level, you signed your first deal with Philadelphia. But your MLS debut actually came with Toronto against Philly here at Subaru Park. What was that moment like?

It was cool. Darrell Russell, went down with a hamstring injury in like, the 10th minute. So I didn’t have too much time to think about it. Just like, ‘all right, straight in’. My whole family, and a lot of friends were there. No better way to do it than in your hometown, in front of your family and friends like that. It’s something you remember forever. It was totally cool.

Richter as an Assistant Coach with the Philadelphia Union

On his journey as a Coach:

After your playing career ended, you quickly joined the Union’s Academy staff as a coach. When did you know you wanted to become a coach?

Richter:

When I was playing, I would always spend the off seasons training up at YSC Sports. I got involved in some of the Union Juniors programs through the PDP (Player Development Program), it was Iain Munro [YSC Director and founding member of Union Juniors]  …he was the guy who was running everything, and he was a great mentor to me, and for Fred [former Union player and current U II Assistant Coach]. He’s a great mentor. He taught us how to coach. Once I started working with the kids, I loved it, and then one thing led to another, then I’m a coach in the academy. Then we started working our way through the age groups, and just enjoying the coaching part so much.

What makes an Academy like the Union’s so successful?

I think it takes great leadership. It starts with the ownership. Whenever you speak to Richie Graham [Union Investor and YSC Founder] he’s so motivating. He believes in this project so much. He believes in the American player. When you have that kind of vision from the top, it’s so easy as a coach, director, scout, or whatever your role in the academy, it’s so easy to buy into. And then, when he puts the resources behind it, it says, ‘Okay, we’re gonna do this’. It’s the vision, and then, really going through it and putting the resources in to make that become a reality. It’s inspiring, and it’s motivation for us to work in the development sector.

What is the most rewarding part of working in a system like this?

We have a real purpose here of helping these young men become men, and to try to take their career as far as they possibly can. I’m lucky enough that some of the kids on the field right now, like Kellen [LeBlanc], Jordan [Griffin], Jamir [Johson], I coached them when they were eight and nine years old. I coached Jackson and Ian, who are part of the U-15 and U-17 group. Alex, I was the one who brought him into the academy when he was 10 years old. It’s so cool to see. And then, the guys that are a little older that moved on from the Union, but Paxten, Jack McGlynn, I worked with these guys when they were Academy players and U-17. To see that, is what’s the most rewarding part of this job, and to know that you hopefully had a positive effect on them and inspired them a little bit. That’s what you try to do as a coach, is just help these guys and have a positive effect on their life and on their career, and do whatever you can to help them reach their potential.

What are your aspirations as a coach? 

I have the ambition to coach at the first team level. Definitely. But, my mind is 100% here right now. I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. I come every day completely motivated and excited for what my job is. Which is to lead this group, and to help these guys try to reach their potential. That’s what I’m focused on: living to get better as a coach and to help this group as much as possible. That’s what I’m focusing on every day. Ultimately, my goal is to see how far I can possibly take it. That’s what I’m trying to tell these guys, like this is what you’re trying to do, take it as far as you possibly can.

Richter during his Ocean City days

When it comes to this season, Union II are the only team still undefeated in MLS Next Pro. They are in 4th place with games in hand on the teams above them. They are one of the youngest squads in the league. It can be uncommon for a team that is focused on player development to also be this competitive. You’ve mentioned the importance of always playing to win, is that mentality the secret behind the team’s great start in MLS Next Pro?

Richter:  

I think that is what development is. Ultimately, we’re trying to develop these guys into players that Bradley Carnell [Union First Team Head Coach] will say, ‘this guy will help my team win, so I’m putting him in because he helped me win’. If this wasn’t the collective team goal that the players individually approached every match with, then what type of sportsmen would we be developing? Just selfish individuals who are focused on what? Playing well? Okay, play well as a team. Fight together. Of course, every day is about getting better. And you see, just even with the age of our squad, of course, it’s about development, but we need to develop winners, and we need to have this culture where these guys will do anything on the ******* field to help their team win.

Richter:  

Sorry for cursing, you’ll have to edit that out… because I hate the conversation of, ‘Oh you care about winning’. Yeah, I care about winning. Of course, I care about winning. These guys better be ready to die on the field to win, you know?

       Richter versus soccer superstar Kaka

Last question now, among older Union fans you’re famous for an online username. What is the story behind your iconic social media handle @SHAQALDINHO?

Richter:  

Yeah, I don’t have an explanation. I don’t know. I’m getting too old now, I gotta change it. It’s fine when you’re in your early 20s, when I created it, but now I’m getting like, mid to late 30s. I need to go to something more professional, I guess. But.. no, I’m not changing it, I still like it.

You’re a basketball guy right?

Richter: 

Yeah, Shaq’s my favorite basketball player and then Ronaldinho…

At the end of the interview Ryan made sure to show his appreciation by giving thanks to the people who had influenced him and helped him in his journey so far as a coach.

Richter:  

I’ve been part of this organization for over seven years. I did start with the youngest group, and a big part of me being able to now be in a position as Union II Head Coach is because of the mentors I’ve had: Iain Munro, Tommy Wilson, Ernst Tanner, and now a great relationship with Bradley as well. So, a lot of great people that I’ve worked with over the years that have helped push me, and help teach me how to coach, teach me how to be a leader for young men. I’m grateful for those people, and to the Graham family more than anybody, for everything that they have done.

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The Ocean City Nor’easters and Philadelphia Union II will clash in an exhibition match this Friday, at Noon, on the WSFS Sportsplex Fields (2485 Seaport Dr, Chester, PA 19013).

The match will be open to the public and will make for a great showing between two organizations that are well known for developing top talent, while competing for trophies.

Fans able to attend can find street parking on Seaport Drive, please park on the side of the road closest to the fields.

Fans unable to attend the match can follow along on official Storm social media accounts: Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky.

Thank you to Ryan Richter for his time, and the Union II Communications Team for facilitating the interview, particularly Niko Dinoulis.