[MLS] Less than three weeks before the start of the MLS season, Red Bull New York has fired assistant coach Richie Williams and goalkeeping coach Des McAleenan. Williams had two stints as interim head coach, most recently before the hiring of Hans Backe as head coach.

Williams, who starred at the University of Virginia and on the great D.C. United teams of the 1990s, joined the New York coaching staff in 2006.

He had a 4-4-6 record in coaching stints with the club.

McAleenan, a native of Dublin, Ireland, had worked with New York since 2002.

Backe's only assistant assistant is Norwegian Jan Halvor Halvorsen, who was hired in January.

Former Red Bull defender Mike Petke was recently hired with the title of individual developmental coach and business operations manager.

“As an organization, we decided to go a different direction with our coaching staff,” said Red Bull New York General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler. “We want to thank Richie and Des for their contributions to our franchise and wish them good luck in their future endeavors.”