Chris Williams (Canadian soccer) facts for kids
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Williams in 2010
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Christopher Williams | ||
| Date of birth | June 1, 1981 | ||
| Place of birth | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||
| Playing position | Defender/Defensive Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1999–2002 | Mobile Rams | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1999–2002 | Glen Shields Sun Devils | ||
| 2003–2004 | Montreal Impact | 38 | (0) |
| 2005–2006 | Toronto Lynx | 39 | (0) |
| 2007 | SK Kladno | 2 | (0) |
| 2008–2009 | Charleston Battery | 48 | (1) |
| 2010 | Vancouver Whitecaps | 15 | (0) |
| National team | |||
| 2000–2001 | Canada U-20 | 13 | (0) |
| 2003–2008 | Canada | 3 | (0) |
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Chris Williams (born June 1, 1981) is a Canadian former soccer player. He spent most of his career playing as a defender or defensive midfielder. Chris played for many teams, especially in the USL A-League in North America.
His most successful time was with the Montreal Impact. There, he helped his team win a major championship. Chris also played for the Canadian national team three times.
Contents
Chris Williams' Soccer Journey
Starting His Career
Chris Williams began his soccer journey in college. He played for the University of Mobile in Alabama. In the 2002–03 season, he was named a First Team All-American. This is a big honor for college athletes.
In 1999, Chris also joined the Glen Shields Sun Devils. This team was part of the Canadian Professional Soccer League. He played with them for four seasons. In 2002, he even had a tryout with Werder Bremen. This is a famous team in Germany's top league, the Bundesliga.
Playing for Montreal Impact
On December 18, 2002, Chris was chosen by the Toronto Lynx. This was through a special player draft for the USL A-League. However, he decided to sign with a rival team instead. He joined the Montreal Impact.
While in Montreal, Chris became a key player for the team. He helped the Impact win their second A-League Championship. They also won the Voyageurs Cup in both 2003 and 2004. These were very successful years for him.
Time with Toronto Lynx
After the 2004 season, Chris returned to the Toronto Lynx. He joined them as a free agent. His first game for the Lynx was on June 24, 2005. They played against the Minnesota Thunder.
At the end of that season, fans voted Chris as their "Fan Favorite." He stayed with Toronto for the 2006 season. That year, he helped the team achieve a great record. They went 10 games undefeated at home. The Lynx also reached the finals of the Open Canada Cup. However, they lost that match 2–0 to Ottawa St. Anthony Italia. Chris also received the "Public Relations Award" for his work in the soccer community.
European and USL Adventures
In January 2007, Chris moved to Europe. He signed with SK Kladno in the Gambrinus Liga in the Czech Republic. He played alongside another Canadian, Dave Simpson. Chris appeared in two matches for the club.
In March 2008, he came back to North America. He signed with the Charleston Battery in the USL First Division. He played 48 games for the Battery and scored one goal. He spent two seasons with this team.
On November 12, 2009, Chris signed with the Vancouver Whitecaps. He helped the Whitecaps finish second in their conference. This meant they earned a spot in the playoffs. On October 19, 2010, the Whitecaps released Chris. This was part of their plan to prepare for moving up to Major League Soccer.
Representing Canada
Chris Williams also played for his country. He was part of the Canada U-20 team. He played in the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship in Argentina. He played alongside future stars like Atiba Hutchinson.
He earned his first "cap" for the senior national team on January 18, 2003. A "cap" means playing in an official international match. This game was against the United States, which the U.S. won 4–0. Five years later, he played his second game against Martinique. Canada won that match 1–0. On November 19, 2008, Chris was called up again. He played in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Jamaica.
Major Achievements
- USL First Division Championship - 2004 (with Montreal Impact)
- Voyageurs Cup - 2003, 2004 (with Montreal Impact)
Off the Field
Chris Williams was born in Toronto. He grew up in a nearby area called Scarborough. He is married to Darina, who is from the Czech Republic. They have a son together.
From 2012 to 2014, Chris also shared his soccer knowledge. He was a contributor for RedNation Online. He provided analysis as a podcaster.
