Kevin Kelsy ranked among world's top U-23 players for offensive aerial game

Venezuelan striker Kevin Kelsy is gaining international recognition for his aerial ability in offensive plays. In his third season with Major League Soccer's Portland Timbers, Kelsy has been ranked as the seventh-best U-23 footballer worldwide for his offensive aerial game by the CIES Football Observatory.

The ranking, compiled in collaboration with data analysis firm Impect, considered players who had participated in at least 720 minutes of play in the current or previous season. Kelsy achieved a performance index of 83.5, placing him among the elite young talents globally in this specific skill.

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At halftime, I said I was disappointed with the players, except one. That was him (Kelsy). He showed that this was his stage, where he wanted to play. In the last month, I have seen maturity and commitment from him.

Kelsy is currently matching his performance from the previous season with the Portland Timbers. In 2025, he scored nine goals and provided two assists. As of July 2026, he has already matched his assist total and is just one goal away from equaling his previous season's goal count, having contributed ten goals in 16 appearances so far.

His coach, Phil Neville, who managed Kelsy until May 25, praised the striker's proactivity and competitive spirit. "At halftime, I said I was disappointed with the players, except one. That was him (Kelsy). He showed that this was his stage, where he wanted to play. In the last month, I have seen maturity and commitment from him," Neville stated after a 6-0 victory. Kelsy himself revealed that he uses video analysis to improve his game, studying spaces and coordinating with teammates.

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It's internal work, I do video analysis. I have time in the league and I see the spaces. I position myself, I talk to my teammates and we practice it.