Thomas Williamson (soccer)

Thomas "Tommy" Williamson (born May 5, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Loudoun United in the USL Championship.

Thomas Williamson
Williamson with Pittsburgh Riverhounds in 2021
Personal information
Full name Thomas Williamson
Date of birth (1999-05-05) May 5, 1999 (age 25)
Place of birth Anaheim Hills, California, United States
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
Loudoun United
Number 9
Youth career
2013–2017 Strikers FC
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2020 California Golden Bears 45 (9)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018 Orange County SC U23 3 (2)
2021 San Jose Earthquakes 0 (0)
2021Pittsburgh Riverhounds (loan) 27 (6)
2022 Minnesota United 2 21 (9)
2023– Loudoun United 48 (7)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 31, 2024

Career

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Youth

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Williamson was born in Anaheim Hills, California. He played youth soccer as part of the USSDA academy team Strikers FC in Irvine, forgoing playing high school soccer for Villa Park High School. Williamson was in the top 10 in his division's scoring table during the 2015–16 season, scoring 18 goals in 34 games and tallying 12 assists.[1] He graduated with a 4.3 GPA and accepted a scholarship to play soccer for the University of California, Berkeley.

College & Amateur

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In three full seasons with the Golden Bears, Williamson scored 9 goals and tallied 1 assists in 45 appearances, earning All PAC-12 Honors in 2019. Williamson also was selected as a Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention in 2018. Williamson missed his senior season in 2020 due to the Pac-12 Conference been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] In 2021, he graduated with a B.A. in legal studies.

In 2018, Williamson appeared for USL PDL side Orange County SC U23.[3]

Professional

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On January 21, 2021, Williamson was drafted 12th overall in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft by San Jose Earthquakes.[4] On April 23, 2021, Williamson was officially signed by the Earthquakes.[5] The same day he was sent on a season-long loan to USL Championship side Pittsburgh Riverhounds.[6]

Williamson made his professional debut on May 8, 2021, starting against Tampa Bay Rowdies, becoming the first player in Riverhounds history born after the club's formation.[7] On June 15, 2021, he scored his first professional goal in a 1–0 away win against Indy Eleven.[8] Williamson scored the first of two goals in a 2–0 win against Tampa Bay Rowdies, clinching a spot for the Riverhounds in the 2021 USL Championship Playoffs.[9] He ended his rookie season with 6 goals and 4 assists.[10]

Following the 2021 season, San Jose declined their contract option on Williamson.[11]

On February 8, 2022, Williamson signed with MLS Next Pro side Minnesota United 2 ahead of their inaugural season.[12]

On December 13, 2022, it was announced that Williamson would join USL Championship side Loudoun United for the 2023 season.[13]

References

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  1. ^ "Strikers FC". strk.ussoccerda.com. Archived from the original on 2021-05-08. Retrieved 2021-05-08.
  2. ^ "Tommy Williamson - Men's Soccer". University of California Golden Bears Athletics.
  3. ^ "Orange County SC U23 - 2018 Regular Season - Roster - #31 - Thomas Williamson - F". www.uslleaguetwo.com.
  4. ^ "NEWS: Earthquakes make two selections in 2021 MLS SuperDraft". San Jose Earthquakes.
  5. ^ "NEWS: Earthquakes Sign SuperDraft Selection Thomas Williamson". San Jose Earthquakes.
  6. ^ "Hounds acquire forward Tommy Williamson on season-long loan". Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. April 23, 2021.
  7. ^ "Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC - May 8, 2021". USLChampionship.com.
  8. ^ "FINAL: Riverhounds SC 1, Indy Eleven 0". 15 June 2021.
  9. ^ "Final: Riverhounds SC 2, Tampa Bay Rowdies 0". 10 October 2021.
  10. ^ "Thomas Williamson | uslchampionship.com". USLChampionship.com.
  11. ^ "NEWS: Earthquakes announce roster moves ahead of 2022 MLS Season". San Jose Earthquakes.
  12. ^ "Minnesota United Signs Two Players to MNUFC2". Minnesota United FC.
  13. ^ "Loudoun United FC signs forward Tommy Williamson". USL Championship. December 13, 2022.
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