TAMPA, Fla. – Reno 1868 FC forward Dane Kelly has been voted the United Soccer League player of the month for May.
Kelly recorded eight goals in May, helping 1868 FC claim its first three league victories in club history as he moved to 58 goals for his USL career, the league’s all-time high. The Jamaican sits tied for the league lead with 10 goals this season.
“I have been working very hard for the past month or so,” Kelly said. “My teammates have been tremendous and have confidence in me. I feel pretty good about this award.”
Kelly received 59 percent of a weighted poll that included the USL technical committee, a national panel of independent media representing every USL market and an online fan vote held at USLSoccer.com. Real Monarchs SLC midfielder Sebastian Velasquez finished second with 21 percent, and San Antonio FC defender Sebastien Ibeagha finished third with 12 percent.
“With Dane, he’s been doing it throughout his whole career,” said 1868 FC head coach Ian Russell, who added that goal scoring “is just a natural instinct he has. He can also create his own goals. There are a lot of [strikers] that need service, and although getting service from a teammate is nice, he’s not a one-dimensional No. 9.”