On Thursday afternoon the Montreal Impact decided to go off the board at the 2015 MLS Superdraft and select forward Romario Williams. Williams will help fill a gap in the Impact depth chart, as the club currently only has two strikers on the roster (Jack McInerney & Anthony Jackson-Hamel). Due to this lack of depth it is plausible that Williams could see some first team action this season. However, Head Coach Frank Klopas is bullish on finding the Impact another forward before training camp opens on January 23.
Press Release from Club:
IMPACT SELECTS FORWARD ROMARIO WILLIAMS IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE 2015 MLS SUPERDRAFT
PHILADELPHIA, PA – With the third overall selection of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, the Montreal Impact selected Jamaican forward and Generation adidas member Romario Williams (@BallaKidRomRom), Thursday, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, in Philadelphia.
“We were looking at forwards for this draft and we liked Romario very much,” said Impact head coach and director of player personnel Frank Klopas. “He showed improvement in every game at the combine. He’s got a lot of pace, is dynamic off the dribble and has a good shot. As a generation Adidas player, he fits well under our cap and adds quality depth at the forward position.”
“I’m really happy to have been selected by the Impact,” said Williams. “Today is a dream come true and I’m ready to work hard for the club and the fans in order to help the team succeed in Montreal.”
Williams, 20, played his last three seasons with the University of Central Florida, recording 18 goals, including seven game-winning goals, five assists in 51 games, 46 as starter. He was a unanimous selection to the American Athletic Conference all-conference first team in 2014. He was also the 2013 American Athletic Conference Player of the Year.
Originally from Portmore, Jamaica, Williams represented the U17 national team, playing in three games at the 2011 U17 FIFA World Cup. He had previously started four of five games at the CONCACAF qualifiers.
ROMARIO WILLIAMS
Position: Forward
Height: 5’11
Weight: 170 lbs.
Birthdate: August 15, 1994, Portmore, Jamaica
Residence: Portmore, Jamaica
Former club: Central Florida (NCAA)
