Williams embracing fresh start with Crew
Romario Williams was ready for a change.
He left a club where he wasn’t going to move ahead of a player who broke the Major League Soccer scoring record last season, and joined a team that just made its starting striker a designated player with a contract extension.
Crew SC traded for Williams last week as a depth piece to bolster a team that has struggled to succeed when Gyasizardes isn’t scoring. Butwilliams could play a significant role in helpingthe Crew improve on offense.
“I'm just coming here to put my head down and work hard,” Williams said. “Whenever called upon, just go out there for the team and try to get the job done.”
Williams was part of the Montreal Impact organization from 2015 to 2016 before Atlanta Unitedacquired him in 2017. He has played just 21 games in four MLS seasons, but he wasn’t going to be playing over Josef Martinez,the 2018 league MVP, with Atlanta— or Didier Drogba, a worldrenowned striker, with Montreal.
At 24, Williams should have his best soccer ahead of him, which he showed in the United Soccer League when he scored 25 goals while on loan with the Charleston Battery from 2016 to 2018.
“I've always had a knack for scoring goals,” Williams said. “I just think with every striker, they just need an opportunity.”
Another young forward looking to make his mark with the Crew isjj Williams, who was draftedout of the University of Kentucky in the offseason. He has started the past three games and has shown potential, as well as the grit that coach Caleb Porter seeks from his forwards. The 21-year-old rookie could still develop his game at the USL level if that’s what the club believes is best for his future.
With Romario Williams, the Crew believes it has a more experienced striker in the second spot on the depth chart who can providean offensive presence when Zardes is off the field.
“We look for certain things at certain positions, and in the (striker) position, the No. 1 thing for me is you have to be a threat,” Porter said. “You're either running behind the line or you're holding the ball up in front of the line, but you have to threaten and occupy and engage the center backs.
“I think Romario brings the profile that we're looking for.”
Before leaving for Columbus, Williams spoke with Atlanta teammates Michael Parkhurst and Justin Meram about what to expect with the Crew, and heard nothing but good things. Both of them had their best seasons with the Crew. Williams hopes he can do the same.