Editor’s note: Portland Timbers midfielder Eryk Williamson was with the U.S. Men’s National Team at the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup, as the U.S. won their eighth Gold Cup trophy. Follow along as we kept tabs on Eryk throughout the tournament, which ran July 11 through to the final on Aug. 1.
Final | Allegiant Stadium – Las Vegas, NV
Aug 1, 2021 | Williamson starts as the U.S. defeats Mexico 1-0 to win the Gold Cup
Making his first-ever senior national team start in a tournament final, Timbers midfielder Eyrk Williamson played 87 minutes for the USMNT as they defeated Mexico 1-0 to win the Concacaf Gold Cup. Williamson was busy throughout the match in the middle of the pitch helping the Americans work out of jams in the first half and nearly setting up the game-winning goal in the second half.
U.S. defender Miles Robinson finally broke the 0-0 deadlock in the second half of extra time when he headed home a free kick in the 117th minute.
All told, Williamson appeared in four Gold Cup matches (two starts) with one assist.
Semifinals | Q2 Stadium – Austin, Texas
July 29, 2021 | Williamson comes off the bench to spark 1-0 win over Qatar
Coming off the bench with U.S. teammate Nicholas Gioacchini in the 81st minute, Timbers midfielder Eryk Williamson helped spark the game-winning goal as the U.S. Men's National Team defeated Qatar 1-0 in the Concacaf Gold Cup semifinals.
Williamson, who had not made in appearance in the U.S.A.'s 1-0 quarterfinal win over Jamaica, performed a quick 1-2 passing sequence with Gioacchini along the edge of the area to provide the key pass for Gioacchini to get free in the box. Gioacchini dribbled to the endline while Williamson and forward Gyasi Zardes crashed towards the goal with Zardes poking home Gioacchini's final pass to score in the 83rd minute.
The U.S. now face Mexico in the Gold Cup final on Aug. 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas (5:30pm PT, FS1).
Group Stage | Children’s Mercy Park – Kansas City, Kan.
The U.S. is in Group B, which includes the nations of Canada, Haiti and Martinique.
July 18, 2021 | Williamson does not appear but USMNT clinch top spot in 1-0 win over Canada
Though Timbers midfielder Eryk Williamson did not make an appearance in the match, the U.S. defeated Canada 1-0 in their final match of Group B play which clinched the top spot. They will now face the runner up of Group C – either Jamaica or Costa Rica – in the quarterfinals on July 25 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Tex.
Group Stage | Children’s Mercy Park – Kansas City, Kan.
The U.S. is in Group B, which includes the nations of Canada, Haiti and Martinique.
July 15, 2021 | Williamson earns first USMNT start, assist in 6-1 romp over Martinique
Fresh from his first ever U.S. senior team appearance last week in the USMNT's 1-0 victory over Haiti, Eryk Williamson received his first start Thursday as the U.S. raced past Martinique with a 6-1 win in their second game of Group B play. The win punched the American's ticket into the tournament quarterfinals.
Williamson was active throughout the match converting 92.3% of his passes – good for second on the team on the night – and had a pinpoint perfect chipped pass to set up Miles Robinson's goal in the 50th minute.
On the team's first goal from Daryl Dike in the 14th minute, Williamson may not have gotten the assist but watch this 35 yard ball from him that zooms through the Martinique defense. The pass sprung George Bello who then cut it back for Matthew Hoppe who then found Dike for the goal.
Williamson tried pulling it off near the start of this clip at about the :06 mark and then does succeed at the :45 mark.
Want more Williamson content? Listen to this great Talk Timbers podcast recorded Wednesday before the game where Williamson talks with hosts Judah Newby, Jake Zivin and Ross Smith about his USMNT debut earlier in the week against Haiti.
Williamson and the USMNT next play Canada to battle for the top spot in the final match of Group B play. Kickoff is 2pm PT on FOX, Univision and TUDN.
Group Stage | Children’s Mercy Park – Kansas City, Kan.
The U.S. is in Group B, which includes the nations of Canada, Haiti and Martinique.
July 11, 2021 | Williamson’s first cap, U.S. defeats Haiti
Having represented the United States at multiple youth levels, Williamson made his senior national team debut as the U.S. defeated Haiti, 1-0, to open the group stage.
Williamson, 24, entered the match as a second-half sub and played 14 minutes in his first cap to help see out the victory.
To help make this moment even more special, Williamson’s mother was in attendance. He talked about his excitement for her visit in a check-in with Jake Zivin before the match.
Next up:
July 15 - Group Stage vs. Martinique at 7 p.m. (Pacific) on FS1
July 18 – Group Stage vs. Canada at 2 p.m. (Pacific) on FOX
