COLLEGE PARK, Md. –– Each week, umterps.com will track the best of Maryland men’s soccer’s numerous alums plying their trade professionally.
PRO TERPS REPORT
Russell-Rowe earns first team chance
- Maryland has many long tenured MLS pros, including 10+-year vets Graham Zusi, Omar Gonzalez and AJ DeLaGarza. However, it is Maryland’s newest signee to the American top flight that receives the top billing this week. After lighting up MLS Next Pro for Columbus Crew 2 to the tune of 11 goals in 11 matches, Jacen Russell-Rowe got the call to the first team, signing a contract with Columbus Crew through 2024 with options for 2025 and 2026.
- Russell-Rowe wasted now time making an impact. The Brampton, Ontario and former Toronto FC Academy product got the start against his old club in his hometown and delivered a pair of assists in a Columbus victory. According to Opta, Russell-Rowe was the fastest player to record two assists on his first MLS start since 2011. Just the start of things to come for Russell-Rowe, who was a Canadian Youth National Team star before playing the 2020 and 2021 seasons in College Park.
Quite the homecoming 🙌 pic.twitter.com/rcXqIlVtkB
— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) June 30, 2022
Williamson returning to form
- Eryk Williamson, who was emerging as one of the best young midfielders in MLS when his 2021 season was cut short with a torn ACL, is beginning to return to form for the Portland Timbers. The 25-year old came on as a second half sub and helped the Timbers secure a 2-2 draw with Nashville.
- Williamson, who turned in what MLSSoccer.com’s Matt Doyle called “something close to a vintage Eryk Williamson performance out of central midfield in the second half” notched an assist on Portland’s first goal. Since May 7, Williamson has five assists over his past seven matches.
- Those type of numbers will inch Williamson back into the USMNT mix, a mix he was firmly in last summer when he featured for the national team’s Gold Cup winning side.
Threaded the needle. @erykw19‘s assist to Jaro is the McDonald’s McDelivery of the Night. pic.twitter.com/5ycBHo78D9
— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) July 4, 2022
NOTES FROM AROUND THE SOCCER WORLD
- Reports around world football have USMNT star Zack Steffen on his way to join English Championship side Middlesbrough on…
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