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SALT LAKE CITY -- The afternoon of December 5 brought a big announcement from Real Salt Lake's only remaining member of the club's original team, a retirement after a 14-year MLS career.
The long-sleeved number 77, Andy Williams, 34, wanted the fans to be the first to know of his announcement and therefore took a radio interview with ESPN700's Bill and Spence show Monday afternoon.
"It's been playing out for probably about a week and a half," Williams told ESPN700's Bill and Spence. "I've been thinking back and forth whether I should make a big hoopla about it, but I spoke to my wife and she told me that I should allow the fans here to be the first ones to know of my new situation so that's why I came to you guys first. I'm glad to announce it to the RSL fans first."
For any athlete, ending a playing career would be a difficult decision, and it wasn't any different for Williams.
"Based on what happened playing wise last year for me, I basically thought I had a good year, a decent year, played in a lot of games last year - I think more than I expected. And I though I was playing pretty well so I kind of figured I was going to push it one more year and see if it's possible to play one more year, but it didn't fall the way that I expected and kind of decided to take a different route," Williams told ESPN700.
That new route will keep Williams as part of the Real Salt Lake club as he will join the technical staff.
"I'm pretty excited about the opportunity they've given me, from the owners, the coaches staff, allowing me to still be a part of RSL even if it's not playing on the field, but I think I have a lot to offer off the field and bringing in players to make our team better and hopefully get some more championship rings and it's going to be a learning lesson for me and I'm just super glad that they've extended this opportunity for me and my family," Williams told ESPN700.
Although it is hard for Williams to hang up the RSL jersey, his next endeavor is exciting for him.
"It's something I've always wanted to do. I couldn't be happier than doing it with the team and the fans that I love and the city that I love. We couldn't ask for anything better and I'm going to take this new endeavor and give it all my heart just like I did for them."
RSL's general manager and sideline boss both extended thanks to Williams for his contributions to the club and their excitement for him to still be a part of RSL
"We would like to thank Andy for all of his commitment and service to Real Salt Lake and recognize him as arguably the most memorable player in our franchise's history," said RSL General Manager Garth Lagerwey. "We are honored that he has chosen to accept our invitation to join our Technical Staff. Leaving the playing field is never easy, but Andy is a gifted person who will continue to help RSL off the field now just as he led us on the field for the past seven years."
As a former teammate of Williams, Head Coach Jason Kreis expressed his thanks to Williams' RSL career saying, "Andy Williams has been an integral member of Real Salt Lake since the club's inception, an important player and a critical leader on and off the field and an integral part of the changing of the culture of our club, but, most importantly, Andy has been a terrific personal friend and family member of RSL."
Kreis also express his excitement for Williams' next job with RSL. "While it is always disheartening to see the playing career of someone you truly care about come to an end, I can honestly say that I am pleased it has come to an end wearing the RSL colors, and that he has chosen to stay with this club as we embark on another great journey to rebuild. There is no doubt that we at RSL have lost one of the all-time greats on the field today, but I truly feel we may have gained someone that can contribute in an even more significant fashion now off it."
Williams ended his RSL career as the all-time leader in games played finishing with 189, second in games started with 122 and 14 goals in 11,536 minutes of play in the RSL jersey.
