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Squad rotation is almost the point of New York Red Bulls II. The reserve team is first and foremost a development squad, and it takes that mandate seriously by giving a lot of players time on the field over the course of a season. And the team is deep at almost every position. So when a regular starter misses a game or two, it doesn't necessarily mean much other than the coaching staff want to have a look at someone else.
Still, Devon "Speedy" Williams has been a regular and important part of the NYRB II lineup for the past two seasons, and he was not in the starting XI or on the bench for the team's 2016 regular season home finale:
STARTING XI vs @fcmontrealusl: Reynish, O'Toole, Schmoll, Carroll, Adams, Metzger, Najem, Bezecourt, Etienne Jr., Allen, Valot#NYvMTL
— NYRB II (@NYRBII) September 17, 2016
BENCH vs @fcmontrealusl: Diaz, Powder, Plewa, Bilyeu, Simpara, Bonomo#NYvMTL
— NYRB II (@NYRBII) September 17, 2016
Nor did he appear in the match before that, against Rochester Rhinos:
STARTING XI vs @RochesterRhinos: Meara, O'Toole, Schmoll, Long, Powder, Metzger, Najem, Bezecourt, Valot, Allen, Bonomo#ROCvNY#NYRBII
— NYRB II (@NYRBII) September 10, 2016
BENCH vs @RochesterRhinos: Diaz, Carroll, Plewa, Simpara#ROCvNY#NYRBII
— NYRB II (@NYRBII) September 10, 2016
In fact, we haven't seen Williams since he limped off the field in the game before that, against Harrisburg City Islanders.
SUB: One halftime change for Red Bulls II, as David Najem is in for @Speedy_CcC.
— NYRB II (@NYRBII) September 7, 2016
1-1 #HARvNY
Williams' replacement in that match - David Najem - has deputized well since, so much so that he has a good claim to a regular start in midfield. But it would nice to know what has happened to the Jamaican stalwart of the II team. NYRB II head coach John Wolyniec provided an update in his comments after the team's 4-0 win over FC Montreal:
He hurt his ankle in the Harrisburg game and we didn't think it was too bad, but he hasn't been on the training field since then so it's been a little frustrating for him and us. He'll be back sooner than later.
Get well soon, Speedy.