Brandon Vazquez’s four-goal performance across two games in the U.S. Open Cup opened the door for Atlanta United to trade Romario Williams, a transaction that was completed with Columbus on Monday.
Columbus traded to Atlanta United $100,000 in General Allocation Money for Williams. Interestingly, Atlanta United acquired Justin Meram from Columbus in May for $100,000 in General Allocation Money and a draft pick.
“Don’t throw your old shoes away when you don’t have new ones,” according to Atlanta United manager Frank de Boer, who said it was a phrase from his native Holland, on Monday. “Brandon Vazquez has managed himself. Hopefully, he can stay fit until the end of the season, just like he did the past couple of games for us.”
Williams, who was acquired by Atlanta United in a trade with Montreal before the 2017 season, finished with one goal in 19 league appearances with the MLS Cup winners.
“Romario helped bring a championship to the city of Atlanta and will always be a part of the club’s first title-winning team,” Atlanta United Vice President Carlos Bocanegra said. “We are grateful to Romario for his contribution to the club and wish him the very best for the future.”
Williams’ last game with Atlanta United came against Charleston in the U.S. Open Cup. He started and scored one goal. Vazquez came off the bench and scored two. Vazquez started the next U.S. Open Cup game against Columbus and scored two more.
He started the next two MLS games at Toronto and against Montreal while Josef Martinez was still with Venezuela at Copa America in Brazil.
Martinez, who set an MLS record with 31 goals during the regular season last year, could return as early as Wednesday for the game at Chicago.
Once Martinez is back in the starting lineup, Vazquez’s minutes will dramatically decrease because de Boer said that Martinez is the No. 1 striker.
But de Boer said that Vazquez has shown that he can be used as a second striker off the bench, or for spot starts if Martinez needs a rest.
“He’s knocking on the door; I love that,” de Boer said. “He will get his minutes. If he’s not paying much he will get his minutes in USL. I’m very pleased for him, also the club and the team that we have a stand in for Josef when he’s not there.”
