skip navigation

Free Agent Watch: Dane Kelly

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 11/30/16, 11:31AM EST

Share

League’s all-time leading goal-scorer available after helping Swope Park to USL Cup Final


Photo courtesy Rich Crimi / Tulsa Roughnecks FC

With a USL-record 48 regular-season goals in his career, Dane Kelly is one of the leading free agents to hit the market this offseason after helping the Swope Park Rangers reach the USL Cup Final in 2016.

The former Charleston Battery forward has scored more than 50 goals in his USL career, including the postseason, and Kelly has been one of the most consistent strikers in the league over the past four seasons. Here are five potential landing spots for the Jamaican forward.

Rio Grande Valley FC

The Toros spread their scoring around in the club’s inaugural season, and when things clicked the side was excellent to watch. Adding Kelly to that mix would likely add more consistency, as his ability to get in behind opposing defenses would fit well with the team’s style of play, while also helping the side avoid streaks such as the four shutouts in five games midseason that saw multiple points left on the table.

Rochester Rhinos

The Rhinos lost a key part of their attacking group with Steevan Dos Santos heading to Ottawa Fury FC for 2017, but the Jamaican could be a fit to work alongside Christian Volesky and fellow countryman Kenardo Forbes to keep the Rhinos’ attack moving forward. Kelly’s ability to stretch defenses with his speed could open up space for the likes for Forbes in particular to work underneath, where the playmaker does his best work.

Bethlehem Steel FC

The Steel had attacking issues in 2016, scoring only 32 goals in 30 regular-season games as they missed out on a playoff berth in their first season. Kelly would not only provide a consistent attacking presence up front for the side, but could also act as a solid mentor to fellow young Jamaican Cory Burke, who is set to return after scoring four goals and adding two assists in his first season with the Steel.

Phoenix Rising FC

With the addition of Jason Johnson from San Antonio FC, and the re-signing of Chris Cortez for his second season with the club, Rising FC already has two solid attacking pieces in place as the club enters its new era in 2017, but the addition of Kelly would likely be a welcome one after the news that former Phoenix forward Tyler Blackwood will be in Sacramento next season. With a number of roster spots to fill, Kelly would be the type of signing that would make a serious splash for the club’s fans.

Charleston Battery

There’s always a risk in returning to a former club to try and reclaim old glories, but after just a season away it could make sense for the Battery and Kelly to reunite in 2017. While Charleston certainly found a good replacement with their loan of Romario Williams from the Montreal Impact this past season, Kelly’s three double-digit goal seasons for the Battery could make this appealing for the side, and he would likely be welcomed as a returning hero by Charleston’s supporters.

Follow the USL Championship

Most Recent News

Most Read News

Latest Videos