Jimmy Kelly Shines as a Playmaker for Oak Forest

Senior midfielder Jimmy Kelly has embraced his pivotal role as a playmaker for Oak Forest. He finds immense satisfaction in crafting the perfect pass for a teammate, setting up scoring opportunities for the Bengals. Kelly acknowledges his strengths lie more in assists than in scoring goals. “My shots are hit or miss, but my crosses are usually good,” Kelly said. “I’ve always been more of an assister. While I’m a key player, I’m never the top scorer. Often, I start the plays that lead to us scoring.”

Kelly demonstrated his playmaking prowess on Tuesday night, assisting Ulysses Morales to secure a 1-1 tie against rival Bremen in South Suburban Blue competition. Nate Dunaj contributed with seven saves for the Bengals, who hold a record of 10-3-4 overall and 4-1-4 in their conference. Jose Cardoso scored for Bremen, with Osvaldo Mata providing the assist, as they stand at 8-5-4 overall and 3-2-4 in the conference.

Bremen’s coach, Huber Saucedo, acknowledged the challenge of rivalry games. “We played OK, but sometimes we hurt ourselves with mistakes,” Saucedo said. Kelly played a crucial role, setting up Morales with a well-placed pass into the center of the box for a goal in the 18th minute after Bremen’s early score. Morales, committed to Illinois’ football team, praised his chemistry with Kelly developed over years of playing together. “If I’m going one way, I know which way he’s going to go,” Morales expressed.

The assist marked Kelly’s seventh of the season, highlighting his influence on the field. “It feels really nice,” Kelly remarked about the celebrated goal. “We had a lot of support from the crowd, cheering us on.” Kelly’s experience and leadership have been evident since his varsity debut, becoming a key player in his sophomore year. “Sophomore year, my coach told me to take control,” Kelly said. “Since then, I’ve been leading on the field, directing our midfield and offense.”

Oak Forest coach Alex Alvarez trusts Kelly’s dedication and energy. “He can last the entire game,” Alvarez commented. “He makes things happen for us. Jimmy and Ulysses have great communication that benefits our team.” Kelly began playing soccer at four, following his older siblings Mickey and Will, who also played for the Bengals. “Playing with Mickey in my freshman year, who was a senior then, was a valuable experience,” Kelly shared. “He taught me leadership.”