Ocean City Press Release – www.ocbarons.com
Thursday, May 01
OCEAN CITY, NJ – The Ocean City Barons have signed Adam Williamson (Lehigh / Ocean City, NJ), a former player and Ocean City High School graduate, for the 2008 season. After leaving the Ocean City Barons, Williamson played for the New England Revolution (MLS) and the Wilmington Hammerheads (USL-2).
Williamson last played for the club in 2005 when he suited up for 13 games, helping the team make the playoffs and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup that year. The Barons welcome him back after two years of playing professionally for the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer (MLS) and the Wilmington Hammerheads of the United Soccer Leagues’ Second Division (USL-2).
The year after playing the 2005 PDL season in Ocean City, Williamson was drafted in the third round (35th overall) of the MLS Supplemental Draft by the New England Revolution.
"Playing for New England was, without a doubt, my best soccer moment of my career," said Williamson. "I can still remember the day that I got drafted."
Williamson spent the season as a reserve, making the 18-man travel roster in half of the games that season. He played seven games for the Revolution reserve team, but at the end of the 2006 campaign, he was waived.
The following year he signed with the Wilmington Hammerheads, and looked to have an impressive year for the USL-2 side after scoring two goals and contributing five assists in five preseason games. However, he suffered a hamstring injury in the second to last exhibition game and missed the first half of the 2007 season. He returned midseason and played in 14 games. Along with contributing two assists that year, he also scored his first professional goal in a 1-0 win at the Bermuda Hogges on June 19, 2007.
He was drafted by the Philadelphia Kixx of the Major Indoor Soccer League, but never suited up for the 2007 league champions. He also had another opportunity to play in the Danish First Division, but decided to stay stateside and declined the offer.
With the entire off season to think about it, the Ocean City native decided to solidify his financial future, rather than "living paycheck to paycheck." He used his accounting degree from Lehigh University to accept a job at KPMG, one of the elite accounting firms in the country. He also has plans to get his MBA and to become a CPA as well. He is currently working for Fox Real Estate in Ocean City, before he moves on to KPMG in the Fall.
"I never thought I would even play professional soccer," said Williamson. "To have two years of playing at that level, I have no regrets."
While he is hanging up his cleats, the professional ones anyway, he is still leaving the door open if another opportunity would present itself.
"With Philadelphia getting a team in MLS, you never know. Maybe I will go for a tryout," he said. "As far as I can see, I would love to play for the Barons for as long as I can. I look forward to playing again in front of my hometown friends and family."
About the Ocean City Barons
The Ocean City Barons are a minor league soccer franchise based in Ocean City, New Jersey that competes in the Premier Development League (PDL) -- the top men’s amateur league in North America. The PDL is considered the 4th level of soccer in the United States below Major League Soccer, and the United Soccer League’s First and Second Divisions. Players have the ability to compete in the PDL throughout the summer months in a professionalized setting while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. The league is the proving ground for players that aspire to reach the highest levels of the game, while providing affordable family entertainment to the Ocean City community.
Founded in 1997, the Barons are entering their 12th year of existence in 2008 and are one of the most successful PDL clubs in North America. Since joining the league in 2003, they are 52-16-16, the 5th best record among the more than 60 teams in the league. Since joining the PDL, 15 former Barons have moved on to play professional soccer, including Jeremiah White (AGF Aarhus in Denmark) who recently became the first Baron to earn a cap with the senior U.S. National Team.
They continued their tradition of success on the field in 2007 when they qualified for the PDL playoffs and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, marking the third time in the last four years the club had achieved both in the same season. The highlight of the 2007 campaign came in the First Round of the Open Cup when they upset Crystal Palace Baltimore, a professional team from the United Soccer League’s Second Division, 1-0 on June 12 at Carey Stadium in Ocean City.
The Barons open the 2008 schedule on Sunday, May 11 at home against the Newark Ironbound Express. Kickoff is at 7:30 PM. For a full schedule, click here.
