CHESTER, Pa. – Sheanon Williams likes to joke that the only reason he joined Sebastien Le Toux and Danny Mwanga for a recent telephone marketing campaign is because he’s the only one of the three that fans could understand.
But the real reason is that he’s as much a part of the Philadelphia Union’s future as the team’s two foreign-born star strikers.
On Monday, Williams continued his improbable climb from MLS afterthought to MLS prized commodity when he was protected by the Union for Wednesday’s Expansion Draft, joining Danny Califf, Juan Diego Gonzalez, Jordan Harvey, Michael Orozco Fiscal, Roger Torres, Kyle Nakazawa, Justin Mapp, Toni Stahl, Brian Carroll and Le Toux on the protected list. (Generation adidas players Amobi Okugo, Jack McInerney and Mwanga were exempt.)
A late-season acquisition, Williams started the final eight games at right back for the Union, helping to solidify a defense that was porous and mistake-prone for much of the year. And with an absolute rifle for a throw-in, the 20-year-old became an instant fan favorite.
“He won the heart of the fans because of the many things he can do,” Union manager Peter Nowak said Monday. “And he’s still very young. I think he recognized his chance and he ran with it. That’s what we want from our players.
"We’re very happy with Sheanon’s progress. I think he’s a guy who can bring a lot of good things to our team.”
[inline_node:320433]When Williams was first signed by the Union – on the last day of the August – getting protected in the Expansion Draft was probably the last thing on his mind.
After trying out for close to 10 teams in the United States and overseas – and, much to his growing frustration, failing to latch on to any of them – the Boston native was just happy to be on a professional roster, even if it meant sitting on the bench.
“Me being a midseason guy, I didn’t expect to start,” Williams recently admitted. “I was just happy to get the opportunity to be on the bench and maybe get into a game. To start was a big opportunity. I really appreciated it.”
Still, it’s not as if Williams completely came out of nowhere. He won a club championship with the FC Greater Boston Bolts, gained entry into the exclusive US Soccer Under-17 Residency in Bradenton, Fla., and helped lead the University of the North Carolina to the 2008 national championship game as a freshman starter. He was a big-time prospect just waiting for his big break.
But the very fact that a player who wasn’t even in the league until September was protected by the Union over seasoned league stalwarts such as Fred, Alejandro Moreno and Stefani Migliorazi says a lot about Williams’ character – and also about the direction of the team’s youth movement.
“It just kind of fell into place for me,” said Williams. “I think I had a pretty good end of the season.”
And for the first time in a couple of years, he can feel secure that he has a team that will stand by him. That’s something he can give thanks for over his turkey and stuffing.
“I’ll probably thank a lot of people,” said Williams, who will spend the Thanksgiving with his family in North Carolina. “I’ve really been put in a great situation.”
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