Forbes leads Ja scorers in USL over the weekend
Kenardo Forbes led four Jamaicans that were on target during week 24 action in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship with a double strike for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
But a personally gratifying night for Forbes, the Hounds captain, was spoiled when his side conceded two goals in the final 10 minutes of regulation time on Saturday at Florida International University Soccer Stadium in a stunning 3-2 win for Miami FC that was anchored by an early strike from Jamaican Lamar Walker.
Jamaican striker Darren Mattocks scored the lone goal when Phoenix Rising FC secured top seed in the Pacific Division and a first-round, home play-off match with a 1-0 win against Orange County SC on Saturday at Championship Soccer Stadium. His compatriot, Dane Kelly, was also part of a goal bonanza when Charlotte Independence beat Loudoun United FC 5-1 win the next day at American Legion Memorial Stadium.
In Miami, Florida, Miami staged a furious comeback and dealt a blow to the Hounds’ chances of finishing in second place in the Atlantic Division, with the two teams tied for second, but the hosts having played one match less.
The Hounds have let a lead slip away in all three matches against Miami this season, finishing with a 1-1 draw and a pair of 3-2 losses after being in a winning position in the 45th minute or later in all.
Forbes gave Riverhounds a 1-0 lead less than four minutes into the match when Alex Dixon threaded a pass ahead for him behind the defence and the Hounds captain rifled a shot to the top corner from an acute angle.
The lead did not last a minute. A long ball was played over the top to Walker after the Hounds defence failed to manage the ensuing kick-off and the Jamaican beat goalkeeper Danny Vitiello with a low shot to the far post.
WELL-STRUCK CROSS
The score remained locked 1-1 at half-time, but Forbes gave the Hounds their second lead of the match in the 66th minute when he finished a wellstruck cross from Tommy Williamson with an open header at the back post for his fifth goal of the season.
The Hounds seemed to have things under control with time drawing to a close, but Miami showed their potency on the counter- attack, creating a few chances late, and finally Othello Bah scored the tying goal in the 83rd minute, and Pierre Da Silva added the winner in the 90th minute.
In Irvine, California, Mattocks enabled Rising to pick up a regularseason victory in Orange County for the first time since August 7, 2016.
James Musa released Mattocks in on goal in the 32nd minute when a long ball played over the top of Orange County’s backline was won by the forward.
Mattocks used his second touch to calmly chip a shot over the head of Rakovsky to give Rising a 1-0 lead.
Rising’s backline played well during the first half, holding Orange County without a shot on goal, and their keeper, Andre Rawl, made a string of saves in the second half to keep a clean sheet.
In Charlotte, North Carolina, the Independence had five different goalscorers – including Kelly – all netting in the first half.
Kelly’s strike on the stroke of halftime was the last of the five goals for the Independence and the 97th of his career.
The Jamaican launched himself up towards the ball off a corner kick from Jake Areman, won a header, and the ball bounced into the back of the net.