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Two years ago Freddy Juarez served as a coach for Real Salt Lake's burgeoning Arizona-based academy. Now, he's part of the club's first-team staff. On Tuesday, RSL announced that Juarez will join Jeff Cassar's coaching staff in 2017 and beyond, replacing Richie Williams who departs after one year on staff.

RSL general manager Craig Waibel said there is "no ill will" in Williams' departure.

"I think after Richie came here, the team was better than it was last year," Waibel told the Tribune. "As everyone does as at the end of every season, we sat down and have conversations. [Williams] and Jeff sat down, and after walking away from that, they both felt that right now was a good time to allow him another opportunity. He'll land somewhere. He's a hell of a coach. It was completely mutual."

"Thanks to RSL ownership, to Jeff and to Craig for the year here, and for the opportunity now afforded me to explore my options," said Williams in a team release. "The commitment to the future of the sport here in Utah exhibited by RSL at all levels and the ambition for growth, depth and breadth sets a standard for the future of MLS."

The former U.S. youth national team coach oversaw the midfielders during the 2016 campaign, which is where Juarez, 38, will likely focus on now that he's joined the first team. Juarez spent the last two years coaching RSL's USL affiliate, Real Monarchs. In its first two years of existence, the Monarchs went 17-27-14 under Juarez.

"We're an organization that wants to be focused on growing from within, and we've had truly two players sign first-team contracts after being with the Monarchs," Waibel said. "This is just a continuation of that. I think that the natural progression of a coach is be a head coach in USL, become an assistant in MLS and then possibly become a head coach. That's kind of our model. It's not everyone's model, but we certainly believe in the growth from within. We felt that Freddy's job is multi-layered when he was with the Monarchs."

Waibel said judging a coach leading a USL affiliate shouldn't be based solely on wins or losses. The franchise felt that Juarez fulfilled the role needed with a team started from scratch in late 2014. Juarez's Monarchs produced two players who made the jump from USL to the RSL first team — Emery Welshman and Ricardo Velazco —  and served as a stepping stone for Chris Schuler, RSL's longtime center back, to rehab after dealing with lingering injuries last year.

"It is important that we continue to evolve across the competitive side of our club, with every detail aimed at capturing hardware for RSL and our incredible fans," said Cassar in a team release. "I want to thank Richie for his commitment to the club this season and also welcome Freddy to the first team staff after two productive seasons with the Monarchs."

With Juarez joining RSL's staff, Waibel said he remains on the lookout for the next Monarchs head coach. The search will be within the RSL organization, throughout USL and college ranks as well.

"The foundation laid with the Monarchs will continue to bear fruit for both the first-team and the USL level, with our ever-growing organization expanding quickly across Utah and Arizona, providing high-level competitive and recreational training and education for all age groups," said Juarez.

-Chris Kamrani

Twitter: @chriskamrani