Jamaican Williams hits double in Switchbacks win
TAMPA BAY, United States (CMC) – Out-of-favour Jamaica forward Romario Williams gave a timely reminder of his talent with a brace for Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in a 3-0 win against Detroit City FC in the United Soccer League Championship on Wednesday.
The 29-year-old struck items in each half of the contest at Keyworth Stadium in the city of Hamtramck in the state of Michigan, and the Switchbacks won their third match in a row and moved into sixth in the Western Conference standings on 46 points.
The Switchbacks proved to be more adaptable on a slick turf caused by a deluge a little before kick-off, and Williams took advantage of a moment of miscommunication from Detroit City FC to extend the lead of his side before he rounded off the scoring early in the second half for his 13th goal of the campaign.
The visitors were under early pressure when goalkeeper Christian Herrera was called upon to break up a free-kick chance and a breakaway opportunity in the first 10 minutes.
The Switchbacks grabbed the lead after 15 minutes when Juan Tejada connected with a high pass from Tyreek Magee and headed the ball past City keeper Nate Steinwascher.
The pressure did not ease up from the visitors, and a breakdown of communication on the backline led to a turnover in the box, and Williams found himself with a wide-open net and and slid the ball right past Steinwascher to score after 29 minutes.
The Switchbacks endured pressure from their opponents for the remainder of the first half and early into the second half, but the weather continued to affect Le Rouge, as City are known, and Williams made them count the cost.
He charged with the ball, after blocking a sliding attempt from Steinwascher, and rocketed the ball into an open goal in the 49th minute.
Switchbacks continued to come under pressure from City, whose defender Michael Bryant received a double yellow card, resulting in a red card in the 58th minute for a reckless challenge in the middle of the field, and the hosts were down to 10 men, but Wiliams and company failed to add to the goal tally.