May 16, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rhode Island FC News Release
“You have a serious injury and are going to miss some time from the pitch.” The dreaded words no soccer player ever wants to hear. It was the message Rhode Island FC forward JJ Williams received in February, leading him to a three-month long journey to recovery. All of his hard work would pay off, however, when the veteran striker returned to the pitch on Saturday, May 11, as Rhode Island FC took on Western Conference leaders Sacramento Republic FC at Beirne Stadium.
As the sun began to set and the sky turned scarlet in Smithfield, Rhode Island, Williams marched on with his teammates and stepped onto the pitch for the first time in a Rhode Island FC uniform.
“It felt fantastic,” said Williams. “I’ve been waiting so long for this moment. You don’t realize how much you miss something until it’s taken away from you. Being back on the pitch reminded me how much I love the game.”
Williams’ return was a joyful and momentous moment, and it looked as if the former University of Kentucky Wildcat hadn’t missed a step. Despite the match ending in a 2-2 draw, Williams’ RIFC teammates were delighted to have him back in the lineup and his presence felt.
“There was a lot of disappointment from the result, but everyone was really happy just to see me back out there,” said Williams. “They all congratulated me, which was really nice. I was just so excited to be back.”
Having the Birmingham, Alabama native back on the active roster adds another key piece to RIFC Head Coach and General Manager Khano Smith’s gameplan.
“JJ has USL Championship experience and is a goal scoring threat,” said Smith. “He brings a lot to the team and to be able to have him back makes us just that much more dangerous, not just on offense, but on defense as well. He continues to get his fitness to where it needs to be, but it takes being on the pitch to get it there, and he will.”
Being faced with a serious injury is never an easy experience for an athlete. As a professional soccer player, the ability to physically perform and use one’s body is critical. To be sidelined from the sport you love for an extended period of time can make the recovery journey that much tougher. For Williams, as grateful as he was to finally be back on the pitch, his feelings were understandably different several months ago.
“I felt a little bit of everything when I got the news,” said Williams. “I wanted to get it taken care of and…