Young Danny Williams took a tumble in 2013, falling way down Jurgen Klinsmann’s depth chart at holding midfielder.
Williams, 24, left Germany’s Hoffenheim in the summer, signing a four-year deal with Reading in England’s second tier. He needed some time to find his feet, but seems to be rolling now.
Williams started his first league match over the weekend, going all 90 minutes in a 0-0 draw with Brighton Hove & Albion.
Williams was back at it Wednesday, setting up the late game-winner in a big 1-0 win over visiting Leeds. That one moves Reading up the 7th in the 24-team table, although there is a long, long way to go.
Reading has a home undefeated streak of 13 games in league play. If Williams can keep at it, he still has time to find a place on Klinsmann’s 23-man roster for Brazil next summer. Remember, Williams was a U.S. starter at this time last year, but lost his place during the spring and summer, some of that due to injury.
Jermaine Jones remains the incumbent at holding midfielder. Kyle Beckerman, with another credible performance in last week’s 2-0 spot-clinching win over Mexico, has moved ahead of the German-American.
And while Williams struggled to regain his spot, Geoff Cameron showed he could fill the gap at holding midfielder, so he’s probably ahead of Williams now.