Jamaicans Kelly, Johnson on target
NEW YORK, CMC – In-form Jamaican striker Dane Kelly struck his 10th goal of the season while fellow countryman Jason Johnson netted his second, as their respective sides earned contrasting results in the United Soccer League on Saturday.
The 26-year-old Kelly was on target in the first half but he was unable to prevent Reno 1868 FC from sharing the points with Colorado Springs Switchbacks in a 3-3 stalemate.
Johnson, meanwhile, scored the gamewinner from the spot as Phoenix Rising came from behind to beat LA Galaxy II, 21.Jamaican striker Dane Kelly.
Phoenix Rising lie just outside the playoff spots in ninth on 12 points in the Western Conference while Reno are one place below but also on 12 points.
Playing at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs, Reno let a 2-0 half-time lead slip as the hosts hit back strongly with three second half goals.
The visitors were ahead through Antoine Hoppenot’s clinical finish in the 37th minute and doubled their lead five minutes later when an alert Kelly dispossessed captain Rony Argueta on the edge of the box and beat goalkeeper Moise Pouaty with a low shot inside the right post from about 14 yards.
Kelly is the league leader in goals and his career-best 58 are also a USL league record.
Aaron King came off the bench to halve the lead for the Switchbacks in the 50th and eight minutes later they were level through the first of Jordan Burt’s two goals. Hoppenot thought he had won it when he scored his second two minutes from time but Burt equalised three minutes later to dash Reno’s hopes.
At the Stubhub Center Track Stadium in Carson, California, the 26-year-old Johnson converted a 61st minute penalty to decide the contest after scores were locked 1-1 at half-time.
Ariel Lassiter put Galaxy II ahead in the 13th minute before Eric Avila squared the game in the 32nd minute.
Ironically, Lassiter then tripped Avila in the box, 15 minutes into the second half, and Johnson’s left-footed spot kick then ricochetted off goalkeeper Clement Diop’s glove en route to the right-hand corner, to settle the game.