There could be a forward addition coming to D.C. United, a player who coincidentally just made a recent splash on the international stage in one of his first appearances for his national team.
D.C. United is closing in on signing Dane Kelly, a source tells Metro. The Jamaican international is near a deal with the Eastern Conference side and is expected to take a physical this week.
Kelly was last with Reno 1868 FC in the USL where he was one of the most prolific strikers in the league a season ago, scoring 18 goals in 27 appearances. He also has spent time in recent years with the Charleston Battery as well as Swope Park Rangers, the USL side for Sporting Kansas City. He has a strong record of success in scoring at the USL level.
A magnificent 2017 season in the USL caught the attention of the Jamaican national team. In January, Kelly scored a goal in the Reggae Boyz 2-2 result with South Korea, one of two caps the player has earned to date. That form and now his move to MLS could well help the player’s fortunes for future international call-ups.
Coming off a season that featured 20 losses and just nine wins, United has rebuilt their squad through a variety of trades and value signings on the international market. At 27-years old, Kelly comes into the team in his prime and certainly brimming with confidence from last year’s Golden Boot as the USL’s top scorer.
One of United’s offseason additions, Darren Mattocks, is an established Jamaican international as well. At 27-years old, Mattocks is already a seasoned veteran of the league with seven years spent in MLS. His best year in MLS came during his rookie season in 2012 with the Vancouver Whitecaps when Mattocks scored seven goals in 21 games.
Should Kelly put up similar numbers as to his countryman, then United will have made arguably one of the best moves of the MLS offseason in signing this forward.
