TAMPA - Harrisburg City Islanders winger Tiyi Shipalane and New England Revolution striker Kheli Dube have been longtime friends going back to 2004 when they roomed together while playing at Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, KY.
Their play at the N.A.I.A. powerhouse caught the eye of scouts from the PDL’s Michigan Bucks, and the pair became part of an overwhelming attacking front that led the club to two consecutive PDL Championship matches, winning their first in 2006.
Earlier this week, the two pals added individual honors to the team accolades they earned while with the Bucks.
Shipalane, 23, spent three seasons with the club from 2006-2008 before signing for Harrisburg earlier this season. The speedy midfielder was named the USL Second Division’s Rookie of the Year on Monday, becoming the first Bucks alumnus to win such an award at the professional level.
“T’s always had a lot of flair,” said Bucks fourth head coach Dan Fitzgerald. “He’s an unpredictable winger with a lot of speed and his finishing has become much more lethal.”
The native of Tzaneen, South Africa put up six goals and six assists in his first year with the City Islanders while leading the club to a playoff berth and a 2-1 upset of Dube’s New England Revolution on June 16 in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The City Islanders would fall 2-1 to DC United in the next round.
After playing for the Bucks from 2005-2007, Kheli Dube was selected by the Revolution in Major League Soccer’s Supplemental Draft in January 2008. Now in his second year in New England, the former Zimbabwe youth international was a finalist for Major League Soccer’s Rookie of the Year award that season, and has shown his first campaign was no fluke, racking up six goals so far this year.
Dube was especially lethal last Sunday when he recorded a hat trick in New England’s 3-1 victory over Real Salt Lake -- another first for a former Bucks player. The next day he was named MLS Player of the Week.
“Kheli’s been the hardest working player I’ve ever had with this club,” said Fitzgerald. “The goals he scored over the weekend were very typical for him – scrappy, kind of ‘garbage goals’ - but he has a knack for being in the right place to finish chances and that’s what makes him dangerous whenever he’s on the field.”
While playing together with Michigan from 2006-2007, the pair, along with striker Kenny Uzoigwe and attacking midfielder Nate Jafta, formed one of the most formidable attacking forces in the Premier Development League, while helping lead the club to its first PDL Championship in 2006, winning 2-1 over the Laredo Heat (Highlights).
Both played vital roles in that match, with Dube setting up Uzoigwe’s goal in the 4th minute, before Shipalane put away the rebound from a saved penalty kick five minutes later. That goal would stand up as the match winner.
“We were kind of up and down and in danger of missing the playoffs,” said Shipalane about the 2006 season. “Something just clicked and we went on a run at the end of the regular season and all the way through the final.”
Dube echoed his friend’s sentiments.
“That season was amazing, I have so many great memories from my time with the Bucks, but winning the title has been the pinnacle,” he said.
At that time, Shipalane said his goal in the final was the highlight of his career. Today, his new honor trumps it.
“That moment will always be special, but this is a professional honor. It shows my hard work and dedication throughout the years has been recognized by teams around the league.”
The two would revisit Laredo in a 2007 Championship rematch, though Dube was unable to take part in the match due to an injury suffered in the semifinal against Brooklyn. Without him, the club struggled to find rhythm throughout the match and eventually fell to the Heat, 4-3 on penalty kicks.
”It was disappointing to go to the final and lose,” said Shipalane. “The most memorable thing that year was the long volley Kheli scored in the semifinal match against Brooklyn. It was the best goal I have ever seen a Bucks player put in the back of the net.”
Dube is more humble about the strike.
”It was a nice one to have, though I’d give it back if we could have won the championship that season,” he said.
The “team first” attitude is one that has been ever present in the Bucks organization and one which both players have been shining examples of.
“Both players have never been concerned with their individual stats. They are completely focused on their team’s success and it comes through in the way they play,” said Fitzgerald.
Both credit their time with the Bucks for guiding them to successful careers.
“It is a great atmosphere for an aspiring professional to be exposed to,” said Dube. “Dan Duggan and Fitzgerald do a great job of running the club and making players feel at home. It is more than just a soccer team, it is a family.”
“Anything for the Bucks,” agreed Shipalane about the club’s familial atmosphere. “I am thankful for the opportunity the team gave me to launch my professional career. It is something I will not soon forget.”
Earlier this week, Shipalane joined former Bucks Greg Janicki and Thabiso Khumalo on loan at DC United through the end of the year. He will be available for Wednesday’s CONCACAF Champions League group clash against Mexican side Toluca.
Though United does not meet the Revolution again during the regular season, the two are separated by a single point in the MLS Eastern Conference standings. A playoff rendezvous could certainly be in the cards.
”I am taking things one game at a time,” said Shipalane. “Just enjoying my time at the next level.”
