For most elite youth talents, soccer is a way a life instilled by parents and older siblings rooted in the sport. That was not the case for Sam Williams, the former New York Red Bulls academy midfielder and current University of North Carolina freshman.
Williams did not have any connection to the game and played other sports initially. A Jersey kid growing up in Tenafly, his first connection to the game was a Red Bulls camp that was happening in his town. After playing with local club teams, Williams joined the Red Bulls Academy at the U-12 age level.