COLUMBUS –The Columbus Crew will celebrate Josh Williams, who retired following the 2023 MLS Cup championship season, prior to Saturday’s match against the New York Red Bulls at Lower.com Field. A two-time league champion with the Black & Gold, Williams played in 183 regular season matches (155 starts) with Columbus – the eighth-most appearances in Club history – over 12 seasons as part of his 14-year MLS career.
Williams will be recognized during a pre-match ceremony this weekend, as well as sign autographs for Crew supporters on the Chase Plaza from 5:30-6:30 p.m. ET. He will be available for interviews with local media members on Thursday, March 14 at 10 a.m. in the OhioHealth Performance Center’s press room.
“I’m truly thankful for so many things and more importantly so many people who have been part of my soccer career – from my family and friends going back to when I first started playing youth soccer, to my teammates, coaches and staff members who are now like family, and of course, the fans who have supported me and the team,” said Williams. “Growing up here, it’s really special to start and end my college and pro careers in Ohio, including after more than 12 years with the Crew and winning two MLS Cups for Columbus. While my main focus has always been doing what’s best for the team, the city and the supporters, I appreciate the opportunity to celebrate with our fans again on Saturday and thank the entire Crew organization and community for everything they’ve done for me and my family over the years to make Columbus my home.”
“On behalf of the Crew and Columbus, we thank and congratulate Josh for all his contributions on and off the pitch that helped the Club claim two MLS Cups over the past four seasons, as well as his efforts as a leader on our team and in our local community during his 12 seasons with the Black & Gold,” said Crew President and General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “Josh has been a great representative of our Club as a player and person, and he earned this opportunity to reflect on and celebrate his impactful career with our supporters during Saturday’s match.”
Across 12 seasons with the Crew (2010-2014, 2017-2023), Williams helped the Black & Gold capture the 2020 and 2023 MLS Cups and the 2021 Campeones Cup. In postseason play, he featured in 11 matches (10 starts) for Columbus. In 2017, Williams earned the Kirk Urso Heart Award, given to the player who best exemplified the qualities in a teammate and became “the heart” in the Black & Gold locker room. During the 2020 MLS Cup final, Williams played a full 90 minutes in the Crew’s 3-0 win over the Seattle Sounders as the Club claimed a clean sheet and its second MLS Cup.
Williams, who contributed to 38 shutouts with the Club, signed with the Columbus Crew on September 15, 2010, as a Discovery Signing and made his MLS regular season debut as a substitute in a home contest against Montreal on March 24, 2012.The defender started his first regular season game against the Houston Dynamo on April 21, 2012. Williams’ first goal of the season came in a road match against the Philadelphia Union as he headed in the leveling goal on Aug. 30, 2012.
In 2015, Williams featured for New York City FC in five regular season matches, starting all five. He spent the second half of the 2015 campaign and the 2016 season with Toronto FC, contributing in 27 matches (23 starts) and registering one assist with the Reds. Overall, Williams appeared in 215 MLS regular season matches (183 starts), compiling nine goals and seven assists. He also started 11 of his 12 postseason matches.
The Northeast Ohio native passionately served the Columbus community through various community initiatives during his career, including the annual Stuff the Backpack event supporting United Way of Central Ohio.
Born in Akron, Ohio, Williams started all 74 matches played across four seasons at Cleveland State University, recording 12 goals and eight assists.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early to the match against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, March 16 at Lower.com Field [7:30 p.m. ET / MLS Season Pass on Apple TV / Alt 105.7 FM / iHeartRadio app (English); La Grande 102.5 FM / La Grande app (Spanish)] for the Josh Williams retirement ceremony that will be held on the field before the procession. Tickets to the match are available for purchase at www.columbuscrew.com/tickets.
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