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Williams comes through with stoppage-time assist as Reading tops Leeds

Danny Williams Reading (Getty Images)

You can add Danny Williams to the list of Americans who delivered clutch assists this week.

Williams became the fourth American playing abroad to set up a crucial goal for his club, assisting on Reading’s late winner in a 1-0 triumph over Leeds United on Wednesday. Williams found substitute Adam Le Fondre in the 96th minute and the English attacker proceeded to score a dramatic goal that extended Reading’s unbeaten streak to three games.

With the helper at the death of the match at Madejski Stadium, Williams joins Tim Ream, Eric Lichaj and Alonso Hernandez as players to dish out assists during the midweek action.

Williams and the rest of the Royals return to action on Saturday with a visit to Derby County.

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What do you think of Williams delivering a game-winning assist vs. Reading? Would you like to see Jurgen Klinsmann call him up for next month’s round of World Cup qualifiers for the U.S. Men’s National Team?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Williams was a force in the WCQ game against Jamaica held in Columbus (scene of the infamous “Clint face”). If he can get back to form I’d love for him to get his spot on the USMNT back. He could be the heir to Jones DM spot.

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  2. It’s nice to see Williams form is returning, he had a very bad year last year. I have been an extremely vocal critic of Williams in the past, but I will mark this day as a fresh start. I’ll have to see if I can catch a Reading match. I’ve always had a soft spot for them anyway since the days when Convey and Hahneman helped them into the Premier League.

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  3. I felt that Williams USMNT form the past year was not so impressive and that Jurgen was giving him preferential treatment that he was denying other players in the pool. That said, I have total respect for Williams having the courage to move to England to risk playing for a new team in the second league. I would be real happy if Williams improves at Reading enough to open the door again for possible inclusion for the WC 2014 roster. I really don’t see him being a starter again, but maybe a bench spot.

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  4. The more pool guys getting regular minutes and contributing the better. I want Klinsmann to have some very tough choices to make come May.

    Out of all the regular starters during the Klinsmann era, Jones seems to be given the most benefit of the doubt by Klinsmann. I am not saying that Jones doesn’t deserve to start, or that Jones is not a very accomplished player. But as we’ve seen with other positions on the field, having someone nipping at your heels for playing time seems to elevate play.

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    • JK made a very big deal about making sure everyone, knew that Donovan and none of the other players are assured of their place.

      LD himself has mentioned it everytime he gets interviewed. The whole drama was in great part to reinforce the idea that no one on the team is assured of their place.

      If LD does not think he is assured of his place what makes you think JJ is complacent about his place on the team?

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      • I did not say I think Jones is complacent; although I could see how my last sentence could be construed that way. What I said was having someone pushing to take your spot seems to elevate play on a more consistent level. As I said, “I am not saying that Jones doesn’t deserve to start, or that Jones is not a very accomplished player,” but Jones can have games like he did against Costa Rica and there are other times where he has games like he did against Mexico.

        Your point about LD is well taken. JK has also held out Altidore and Bradley at various points during his tenure (for different reasons). JK has made it clear that no one is assured of their place on the team.

        However, Jones has consistently started when he’s been healthy (as has Dempsey). This may come down to the fact that other players who could potentially fill Jones’ role, and thus provide competition, have not been playing well.

        My main point was that Williams playing well will only be good for the USMNT.

      • I will say USMNT has yet to see the best of Williams. He is a better player than he has shown in the US shirt and JK knows this.

        If he can get a good run of games with Reading he will put a lot of pressure on guys like Beckerman and Cameron.

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