‘Tusty’ leads goal scoring in USL

Having only played nine of his team’s 18 games, Marlon “Tusty’ James is not only the top goal scorer for his club, the Vancouver Whitecaps, but is also the leading the pack in the United Soccer League.{{more}}

James is joint top scorer with the Rochester Rhinos’ John Menyonar.

James hit a brace last week Friday against the Rhinos in his team’s 3-1 triumph. He scored in the 40th minute from the penalty spot, then hit a rasping right footer in the 59th minute to double his tally and his team’s.

The previous weekend, James, who came on in the 43rd minute, also had a double versus the Puerto Rico Islanders as the Whitecaps, the 2006 and 2008 winners, won 4-2.

James is proving to be his team’s linchpin. With James in the line up, the Whitecaps have won six matches, and without him have also lost an equal number. The Whitecaps’ record at last weekend, showed seven wins, seven losses, and of their losing matches, only lost once with him in their line up.

A one month long lay off because of a calf injury has severely affected his appearance for his new club.

And James is blaming his succession of injuries on the hard turf that he has to encounter.

“The turf is bad turf hard”, James told SEARCHLIGHT last Sunday afternoon.

“It still boring me,” he continued.

The Vincy Heat captain said that because of the hard surfaces, following training, they have to take ice baths.

James suffered an ankle injury three days prior to the season’s opener, which delayed his debut in the league.

The 32-year-old James added that the weather is also hampering his adjustments as the cold temperatures at times plays a part in his overall fitness level.

James revealed to SEARCHLIGHT that because of the conditions, he is unable to extend himself, causing him not to play the full ninety minutes.

He was also substituted in the 77th minute against the Rhinos and came on in the 63rd minute in the Whitecaps’ 0-0, tie with the Cleveland City Stars on Saturday.

But despite these draw backs, the man whose goal scoring ability set the Malaysian Premier League alight in 2007 to 2008, being the lead striker, is optimistic for the remainder of his debut year in the North American First Division competition.

“I just want to stay fit; I’m seeing some specialists also the team is training on grass now so that I can stay injury free”, he projected.

James should have had an opportunity to extend his tally last night, Thursday, when they were set to meet the Portland Timbers.

Tonight, the Whitecaps should be in action against the Charleston Battery.

But while James is progressing the same is not so for another Vincentian, Wesley “Bhutto” Charles.

The defender who made his debut for the Whitecaps last year July, and was elevated to the vice-captaincy, was sacked two weeks ago for two physical infractions with fellow team mates.

At present the Whitecaps are sixth in the table.(RT)