In his five-year professional tenure in the USL, Jordan Dover has achieved his fair share of career goals. The Riverhounds defender is poised to strike another milestone by hitting triple-digit career appearances.
Dover likely will make his 100th regular-season USL appearance on Saturday, June 12, when the Riverhounds face Miami FC at Highmark Stadium.
Before lending his impressive defense to the Hounds, Dover was once a promising rookie, fresh out of college with dreams to succeed in the league. But Hounds midfielder and long-time teammate Kenardo Forbes remembers things a little differently.
Forbes came off a rigorous indoor season before meeting Dover, who had just joined coach Bob Lilley and the Rochester Rhinos in 2017.
“I didn’t know most of the guys. So my first time seeing Jordan, I thought he was one of the staff, one of the water boys,” Forbes said with a laugh. “I always make fun of him for that.”
The two teammates now are tied as the longest-tenured Hounds players and are at the center of the club’s success with three straight playoff appearances from 2018-20.
“To play a hundredth game at this level is such a huge achievement,” Forbes said. “He gives us so much. He gives composure in the back. You can play him in tight spaces, and he will get out. He is a very important piece for us.”
As for Dover, he tries not to focus too much on the numbers.
“My sister messaged me about it, and I said ‘Oh, what a waste of time!’” Dover joked. “But I’m super grateful for it all. I’m just trying to put together another good performance. Try to keep going.”
Dover has a lot to live up to after setting a high bar.
The defender started 14 of 16 matches in the 2020 season, while cinching one goal and one assist. And as the 2021 season progresses, Dover strives to play with the same grit.
“It’s just trying to play at a high level as long as possible. I’m not too worried about the appearances or numbers itself, but I think it just displays consistency,” Dover said. “I’m trying to maintain that level.”
Both Dover and Forbes agree that after posting two home losses, the Riverhounds need to secure a win Saturday against Miami.
“It’s very important because we lost the last two home games. That’s disappointing,” Forbes said. “That’s not good enough for us as a club and for us as a team. Saturday we have to respond.”
With the team’s collection of seasoned USL veterans, the Hounds suit up with a winning strategy to go with a century-mark celebration. The key?
“Move the ball quickly. Look more dangerous. And create more chances,” Forbes said. “It’s just all about us, as a team, going forward.”
