Dino Williams heads to North American Soccer League
CATHERINE HALL, St James — Montego Bay United’s (MBU) sharp shooter Dino Williams might have played his last game in the Red Stripe Premier League this season after leading them to a 2-0 win over Tivoli Gardens in a Monday night game at the Montego Bay Sports Complex.
Williams, who played just 74 minutes before making way for Owayne Gordon after scoring his league-leading 14th goal in the 28th minute, is heading to the Indy Eleven in the North American Soccer League where he will be reunited with former MBU coach Tim Hankinson.
Williams’ 14 goals is the best he has had in any one season in the Premier League, beating the 13 he scored last year.
After Monday’s game Williams told the Jamaica Observer he was excited about the opportunity. “This is a good opportunity and I am looking forward to making the best of it.”
He is leaving the club he led to back-to-back RSPL finals — while scoring a hat-trick in the 2013-14 final against Waterhouse FC — with a heavy heart.
“It would have been good to try and win another title here but I can’t turn down this offer and my leaving will give others a chance to get more playing time and chance to score.”
Williams’ departure was timed almost perfectly with the return of striker Allan Ottey, who missed more than a month with a leg injury and the return of utility player Lesly St Fleur.
The striker, who was part of the Jamaica team at the Copa America, will be returning to the Indianapolis-based outfit after an unsuccessful trial two years ago.
He had gone on trial with the team despite an injury that limited his mobility at the time.
This would be his second stint on the American circuit after a short stint with the Charleston Battery in the United Soccer Leagues in the 2011-12 season, appearing in nine games.
Williams will be reunited with Tim Hankinson, who started the season with MBU, leading them to the top of the RSPL points table before leaving at the end of the first round.