Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today the acquisition of Canadian international
Chris Williams
from United Soccer Leagues club Charleston Battery for an undisclosed amount. Williams has signed a one-year contract - plus an option - pending international clearance.
Williams, 28-years-old, joins the Whitecaps after spending the last two seasons in the United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1) with Charleston. Last year, the 5-foot-10, 165-pound defender/midfielder appeared in 31 regular season, playoff, and Lamar Hunt US Open Cup matches for the Battery, scoring one goal and recording two assists in the process. In 2008, the right-sided player recorded four assists in 31 appearances for the South Carolina outfit.
The native of Toronto, Ontario, also spent two seasons with former USL-1 club Toronto Lynx from 2005 to 2006 and Montreal Impact from 2003 to 2004. As a member of the Lynx, Williams was voted the team’s Fan Favourite in 2005, while he received the club's Public Relations Award in 2006. In 2004, Williams helped the Impact win the USL-1 (known then as the A-League) title. In total, Williams made 135 USL-1 regular season and playoff appearances for 9,204 minutes of action.
Prior to his spell with Charleston, Williams played the 2007-08 season with SK Kladno in the Czech Republic’s top-flight Gambrinus Liga.
Before turning professional, Williams attended the University of Mobile in Alabama from 1999 to 2002. As a member of the Rams, the defender/midfielder helped them claim the 2002 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Championship title. Individually, Williams was named NAIA First Team All-American in 2000 and 2002.
At the international level, Williams has earned three senior caps for Canada, with his last appearance coming in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier away to Jamaica on November 19, 2008. Williams also earned 14 caps at the U-23 Olympic level for Canada, as well as 15 caps as a member of Canada’s U-20 national team. This included an appearance in the 2001 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina.
Whitecaps 2010 season tickets are now on sale. Season tickets include all men’s and women's team regular season and playoff home matches at Swangard Stadium, Nutrilite Canadian Championship home matches against Toronto FC and Montreal Impact, as well as priority listing for Vancouver MLS 2011 in BC Place. For more information on the 2010 season ticket packages, call 604.669.WAVE (9283) or click here.
