Alexandria’s Eryk Williamson, right, played three seasons at the University of Maryland. (Maryland Athletics)
D.C. United is in talks about trading homegrown prospect Eryk Williamson’s MLS rights, three sources familiar with the situation said Monday. A deal could be consummated this week.
Williamson, 20, played three seasons at the University of Maryland before turning pro last month. As a graduate of D.C.’s youth academy, he was not eligible for last Friday’s league draft. He was expected to decide between United’s contract offer and opportunity overseas, but with no apparent movement on either front, at least two MLS clubs last week inquired about trading for him.
Williamson, an attacker from Alexandria’s T.C. Williams High School, was a third-team all-American this past season after posting six goals (three in one match) and five assists for the Terrapins. He had 14 goals and 13 assists over three years.
Aside from his college career, Williamson was a regular with the U.S. under-20 national team the past two years.
United’s interest in him was tepid. After a standout freshman year, Williamson fell short of expectations the past two seasons and tended to fade in and out of matches. He did have a spectacular moment for the U-20 squad last year, scoring a world-class goal against El Salvador.
Had he signed with United, he would’ve been hard-pressed to earn playing time in league matches this year and might’ve ended up on loan with the second-division Richmond Kickers. With a heavy away schedule before Audi Field opens in July, the club is planning to rely on experienced players. On Friday, hours before the draft, United dealt the No. 3 overall pick to Los Angeles FC for $200,000 in allocation money and didn’t have a selection in the second or third rounds. Two fourth-round selections face long odds of making the squad.
Current homegrown players on United’s roster: defender Jalen Robinson (Catonsville, Md.), defender-midfielder Chris Durkin (Glen Allen, Va.) and midfielder Ian Harkes (Fairfax).
It’s uncommon for an MLS team to trade a homegrown player’s rights before he has signed a pro contract. Last week, however, the Chicago Fire dealt University of North Carolina midfielder Cam Lindley’s rights to Orlando City for defender Rafael Ramos and $100,000 in allocation money. He subsequently signed a long-term contract with the Florida club. Lindley had apparently turned down Chicago’s homegrown contract offer, which prompted the trade.
For Williamson, United would likely seek allocation money and perhaps an international roster slot ahead of two possible Latin American signings in the coming weeks.