Defender Josh Phillips was on the same Crossfire Academy team as Kelyn Rowe for three years. The team was good—they made the national final during the 2009-10 season—and it relied on a simple strategy: Phillips wins the ball and gets it to Rowe.
Rowe ran the attack for that Crossfire team and in the championship final he offered an assist that the commentator claimed “made something out of nothing.” Although they’d ultimately lose 3-1 to Vardar, Rowe’s talent was on undeniable.
Seven years later, Phillips, who’s a stalwart for the Colorado Springs Switchbacks of USL, still sees the qualities that made Rowe such a great young player.