Brian Brown doesn’t just believe he can score.
He knows he can because he has countless times before.
The 21-year-old Jamaican forward, who was acquired on loan from Jamaica’s Harbour View FC for the rest of the MLS season, is anxiously anticipating his first playing time with the Philadelphia Union.
It could come Wednesday night when the Union host the New York Red Bulls at PPL Park.
“I know what my skills are and that’s to score around the goal,” Brown said. “If I get chances, I’ll take them and shoot the ball. I’m confident I can score in the final third. When I get the ball around the goal, I know what to do. I’m looking forward to getting the chance to show the coaching staff what I can do.”
Brown joined his new teammates for Saturday’s dizzying 3-3 draw with the Colorado Rapids.
When asked about the Union, he was impressed.
“There are very, very good scorers here like Conor (Casey), Andrew (Wenger) and Sebastien (Le Toux),” Brown said. “They have a lot of skills. I’m excited about joining them and helping the Union in any way I can. I hope to contribute. I’m confident I can contribute.”
So is Union interim manager Jim Curtin.
“Brian is a player who is very good around the goal,” Curtin said after Saturday’s draw. “His quality on finishing inside of the box with both feet and can strike the ball well, and you can see that in practice pretty quick. He has got a bit of speed. He is a handful. He is a big guy too. He’s about (6-foot-1) so he has got an MLS body on him. He can handle the punishment you get up there. He’s young, too. He’s 21. He’s a guy we’re high on. If the game had went how I would have liked tonight and we stayed 3-1 up, he might have gotten in, but instead you’re burning two subs trying to hold on at the end so it’s difficult.”
Brown was the recipient of the Jamaican National Premier League Golden Boot last season with 20 goals. He is also a member of the Jamaican senior national team.
Coming to the Union is a big change, one that Brown is embracing in every way.
“I’m trying to get used to the city,” Brown said. “Jamaica is a small country, so the area here is much bigger. I’ll get used to it by day-in and day-out, so by next week I’ll know many more places, but it’s good to be here and I really like it here so far. The guys in this locker room are great. The coaches are great.”
Having a teammate like Jamaican goalkeeper Andre Blake is also helpful.
“He’s the one helping me to meet around and know this place better,” Brown said. “It’s been great to have Andre. He’s like a brother. Everyone is like my brother, but I look up to Andre.
Contact Union writer Andy Jasner at andy.jasner@yahoo.com
