NEW YORK, New York – Jamaicans Dane Kelly and Neco Brett extended their purple patch in the United Soccer League, with their strikes earning their respective clubs contrasting victories in the championship on Wednesday night.
Jamaican Dane Kelly.The 30-year-old Kelly struck his third goal of the season in only his fifth appearance as he helped propel Charlotte Independence to their third win in four games with a 3-0 whipping of Charleston Battery.
Brett, meanwhile, lashed in his seventh goal in ten outings as Birmingham Legion edged Miami FC 1-0 to win their fourth game in five outings.
Charlotte is second in the Atlantic Division on 15 points, just three adrift of leaders Tampa Bay Rowdies while Charleston is sixth on eight points.
Birmingham top the Central Division with 19 points, three clear of Louisville City while Miami lie fifth in the Atlantic Division on ten points, following their third loss in four games.
With Louisville, on a three-game winning streak, closing in quickly, all eyes were on Birmingham and Brett ensured they took full points.
Playing at the FIU Soccer Stadium in Miami, the 29-year-old left it late, scoring in the 82nd minute to break the deadlock.
Reggae Boy Junior Flemmings was denied in the sixth minute when goalkeeper Connor Sparrow kept out a long-range drive before Bruno Lapa and JJ Williams also came close in the half.
Haiti international Christiano François also came close for the hosts, forcing a save out of goalkeeper Matt van Oekel at the near post in stoppage time.
Flemmings missed again from closer range in the 50th minute before Miami dominated for a small period which saw them squander a series of excellent attempts on goal.
The game changed when 19-year-old Jaden Servania, a 76th minute substitute, tormented the tag team of Junior Palacios and Robert Kcira out on the left, before picking out Brett in the middle of the 18-yard box, who made no mistake with his low drive.
At Sportsplex at Matthews, Kelly found the target in the sixth minute when Brandt Bronico’s through ball from deep midfield found Blake Pope down the right flank, just parallel to the 18-yard box.
Pope’s squared pass into the area found Kelly who blasted home his volley from nine yards.
The strike gave Charlotte a 1-0 half-time lead, and a Marcelo Palomino 75th minute penalty and a Kelly-assisted Valentin Sabella’s 94th minute goal, sealed the win.
