Riverhounds SC has signed two more players for the upcoming season, forward William Eyang and defender Jesse Williams. Both players are signed to one-year contracts with a team option for the 2023 season, pending USL and U.S. Soccer Federation approval.
Eyang, 27, is a native of Cameroon with experience playing in his homeland, Sweden and the U.S. The 6-foot-2 attacking player made his stateside debut in the USL Championship with Orlando City B during the 2016 season.
“William brings a big frame, as well as pace and power to our front line,” Riverhounds head coach Bob Lilley said. “He is very capable of holding the ball in tight areas or using his speed to get behind defenses in wide areas. We are excited to see what he will bring in 2022.”
Eyang also has played in the National Independent Soccer Association and most recently was with the Florida Tropics of the indoor Major Arena Soccer League.
Williams, 20, is a young defensive player hailing from Trinidad and Tobago who most recently was with the Coleraine FC U-20s in Northern Ireland.
Last summer, Williams made his senior international debut less than a month after his 20th birthday, playing 90 minutes at right back in a 2-0 World Cup Qualifying win over St. Kitts and Nevis. He made two more appearances for the Soca Warriors at last summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, where he played alongside his new Hounds teammates, Jelani Peters and Mekeil Williams.
Pittsburgh Riverhounds signs defender Jesse Williams https://t.co/3V67R1BbWs pic.twitter.com/i6icgR80gR
— Soca Warriors 🇹🇹 (@socawarriors) January 18, 2022
“Jesse is a young player with a high ceiling who we want to develop here in Pittsburgh,” Lilley said. “He can play as an outside back or defensive midfielder and brings strong ball-winning qualities to our group.”
Jesse Williams currently is back in camp with the T&T National Team — alongside Mekeil Williams — as they prepare for the team’s next match, a friendly against Bolivia this Friday in Sucre, Bolivia.
PSN Takeaways: Jesse Williams and William Eyang signings
These signings point the way toward providing the Hounds with continued depth along the back line, as Lilley clearly sees a lot of potential in working with the the 20 year-old Jesse Williams alongside his fellow countryman and Shane Wiedt.
Looking at the younger Williams, the Hounds coaching staff will be banking on his upside and having some chemistry with the elder Williams and Jelani Peters. Being that the Soca Warriors will be missing out on the World Cup in 2022, should provide some assurance that Williams’ and Peters will be with the club during its stretch run in September and October.
Additionally, the Hounds already have formadible pair of forwards, but with the addition of Eyang, Lilley now has another option at the top of the attack.
Added to a roster that has USL Championship’s all-time leading scorer Dane Kelly and Albert Dikwa, William Eyang provides the Hounds with something they were missing in 2021, another target forward, who will serve as a big-body up front with physical presence and ability to finish.
The question is, can Eyang find a role among this group. Lilley obviously must have seen something to believe he’ll be a solid complementary piece. He is 27 years of age and has not played at this (USL Championship) level since his stint with Orlando City B in 2016.
With the retirement of Todd Wharton, the Hounds will likely be looking to add more depth to its central and defensive midfield, as this could open the door for another veteran signing.
The only position they have not filled (as of January 18) is goalkeeper.
Hounds 2022 roster (players announced as of Jan. 18)
Goalkeepers (0) — None
Defenders (6) — Ezra Armstrong, Jelani Peters, Dani Rovira, Shane Wiedt, Jesse Williams, Mekeil Williams
Midfielders (2) — Kenardo Forbes, Danny Griffin,
Forwards/Wingers (5) — Russell Cicerone, Albert Dikwa, Alex Dixon, William Eyang, Dane Kelly