Battery adds pair of Jamaican standouts

It didn't take long for Charleston Battery coach Mike Anhaeuser to realize that striker Dane Kelly was a keeper.

The Battery signed the speedy Kelly and fellow Jamaican midfielder Evan Taylor for the upcoming at USL Pro season.

Kelly, 20, made an immediate impact on the Battery's lineup in the recent Carolina Challenge Cup, scoring a goal against Major League Soccer's Toronto FC. Kelly also drew a penalty shot that Mike Zaher converted into the game-winning goal in a 2-1 win over Toronto.

"Dane showed he can hold his own against quality competition," Anhaeuser said. "He has tremendous pace up top and he's very dangerous with the ball at his feet. His potential is unlimited."

Kelly arrives after scoring 15 goals for the Tivoli Gardens, of the Jamaican Premier League.

"He needs to work on some of his technical skill, but you can't teach that kind of pace," Anhaeuser said. "He's going to be able to open things up for the rest of our attack with his pace."

Taylor arrives from the JPL's Reno FC The 22-year-old has made 10 appearances for his national team, including World Cup qualifiers against Mexico, Canada and Bahamas.

"Evan is a solid midfielder with a huge upside," Anhaeuser said. "He has played at a very high level with the Jamaican national team and the youth national team, so he's seen quality opponents throughout his career."