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Real Salt Lake midfielder Andy Williams announces retirement
Williams was the last remaining player who had been with RSL since its inception in 2005.
Dec 6, 2011 1:27:00 PM
By Seth Vertelney
Real Salt Lake midfielder Andy Williams has announced his retirement after 14 MLS seasons. Williams will remain with the club after accepting a scouting position.
Williams, 34, had been with RSL since its 2005 inaugural season, and was the last remaining player from that expansion campaign.
“Andy Williams has been an integral member of Real Salt Lake since the club's inception, an important player and a critical leader on and off the field, an integral part of the changing of the culture of our club and, most importantly, a terrific personal friend and family member of RSL,” said head coach Jason Kreis.
Williams played with five different MLS sides in his first seven seasons in the league – Columbus (1998-99), Miami Fusion FC (2000), New England Revolution (2001-02), NY/NJ MetroStars (2002) and Chicago Fire (2003-2004) – before finding a home with RSL.
During his 14 seasons, Williams managed to rank amongst the league's all-time leaders in several statistical categories, including 332 appearances (6th all-time), 86 assists (8th), 680 fouls suffered (2nd), 231 starts (T-32nd), and 21,698 minutes played (28th).
“We would like to thank Andy for all of his commitment and service on behalf of Real Salt Lake,” said RSL General Manager Garth Lagerwey. “There is good reason why he is recognized as arguably the most memorable player in our franchise’s history."
In addition to his MLS career, Williams also won 93 caps with the Jamaican national team, scoring 15 goals during his stint with the Reggae Boyz between 1998 and 2010.
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Williams, 34, had been with RSL since its 2005 inaugural season, and was the last remaining player from that expansion campaign.
“Andy Williams has been an integral member of Real Salt Lake since the club's inception, an important player and a critical leader on and off the field, an integral part of the changing of the culture of our club and, most importantly, a terrific personal friend and family member of RSL,” said head coach Jason Kreis.
Williams played with five different MLS sides in his first seven seasons in the league – Columbus (1998-99), Miami Fusion FC (2000), New England Revolution (2001-02), NY/NJ MetroStars (2002) and Chicago Fire (2003-2004) – before finding a home with RSL.
During his 14 seasons, Williams managed to rank amongst the league's all-time leaders in several statistical categories, including 332 appearances (6th all-time), 86 assists (8th), 680 fouls suffered (2nd), 231 starts (T-32nd), and 21,698 minutes played (28th).
“We would like to thank Andy for all of his commitment and service on behalf of Real Salt Lake,” said RSL General Manager Garth Lagerwey. “There is good reason why he is recognized as arguably the most memorable player in our franchise’s history."
In addition to his MLS career, Williams also won 93 caps with the Jamaican national team, scoring 15 goals during his stint with the Reggae Boyz between 1998 and 2010.
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