By Aldo Amato,

RENO, Nev. – One of the top talents the United Soccer League has ever seen continued his successful career in Reno this season.

Dane Kelly led the USL with 18 goals this season, added four assists and helped Reno 1868 FC become the top-scoring team in America in Year 1 of the franchise.

For that, Kelly was named Reno’s Forward of the Year on Friday for a fantastic season.

Kelly, the first player to sign with Reno this year, won the Golden Boot after showing off the same scoring prowess that has made him successful since the USL’s inception in 2011.

During the inaugural season, Kelly recorded back-to-back hat tricks in May, setting the tone for Reno’s remarkable turnaround. A team that was once last in the Western Conference was able to turn it around in early May and climbed all the way to a third-place finish.

Kelly played a major role in that throughout the year despite international duty and brief injury spell. Kelly made his debut with his native Jamaica in late August. Kelly locked up his first Golden Boot on Sept. 23 after scoring two goals against Portland Timbers 2.

The speedy, agile and instinctive veteran surpassed 60 goals this season, becoming the first players in USL history to accomplish that feat. Kelly’s 18 goals this season was also good for second-most in league history.

Kelly’s remarkable year earned him a spot as a finalist for USL MVP. Kelly is going up against Charlotte’s Enzo Martinez and Real Monarchs’ Chandler Hoffman.

The award will be announced on Wednesday, Nov. 22.

Dane Kelly’s 2017 Stats