The Houston Dynamo have acquired defender Sheanon Williams and an international roster slot from the Philadelphia Union in exchange for general allocation money, the club announced today. Per League and club policy, additional terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Williams, 25, appeared in 141 regular-season games in six seasons with the Union, averaging 29 appearances per season over the last four years. The defender tallied seven goals and 19 assists with Philadelphia, including eight, a career-high, in 2013. Williams made 17 regular-season appearances (15 starts) for the Union this season and is one of six players in the Eastern Conference to log four consecutive seasons with at least 2,000 minutes with the same club (2011-14). Williams is tied with Sebastien Le Toux as the franchise leader in games played and started, as well as minutes played.
"We are pleased to add a player with Sheanon Williams' quality and MLS experience to our group," Dynamo VP/general manager Matt Jordan said. "We felt it was important to add a player to our team who possesses Sheanon's unique ability to play every position along the back line. The timing of this addition is important, especially due to the unfortunate injury to Jermaine Taylor in the Gold Cup.
“As our team enters the second half of the season, we feel the addition of Sheanon, the recent arrival of Erick "Cubo" Torres and the upcoming return of our National Team players positions us well for an exciting push toward the MLS Cup playoffs."
A Boston native, Williams joined the U.S. U-17 national team residency program in Bradenton, Florida and played at the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Korea. Two years later, Williams played at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.
Williams is eligible for selection on Saturday when the Dynamo host the LA Galaxy at BBVA Compass Stadium.
The Dynamo will hold the acquired international roster slot through the end of the 2016 season.
TRANSACTION: Houston Dynamo acquiredefender Sheanon Williams and an international roster slot valid through the 2016 season from the Philadelphia Union in exchange for general allocation money.
Full Name: Sheanon Williams
Pronunciation: Shane-en
Position: Defender
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 170 lbs.
Born: March 17, 1990
Place of Birth: Boston, Massachusetts
Citizenship: USA
Last Club: Philadelphia Union
Acquired: Via trade on July 23, 2015
