For the first time since 2021, Kyle Edwards has been named the USL Championship Player of the Week. His brace against Oakland on Saturday brings his career tally for substitute goals at 17, just one back from the all-time league record. The pair of goals secured a valuable three points for Republic FC, resulting in a massive six-spot improvement in the Western Conference table at the midway point of the season.
“Kyle’s biggest impact is the goals whether he starts or whether he comes on, that’s his biggest strength. But the ability to do it from the bench is something that sets him apart not just in our club, but in the league, it’s not easy,” Head Coach Neill Collins said.
Already the record holder for single-season goals as a substitute, Edwards continues to build on a longstanding career as one of the most impactful substitutes in USL Championship, making the most of every minute on the pitch that he can get.
We caught up with the St. Vincent and the Grenadines international to reflect on his experience as one of the all-time scorers coming from the bench and how his gameplay has been affected by his arrival in each matchup.
Did even scoreline against Oakland affect your mentality when you subbed on?
I think in every game that I substitute on, I always bring energy. This was one of those games where the energy is equivalent to two goals. So I think bringing my energy, enthusiasm, and also just being impactful to the game the moment I come on.
Is the score a factor in how you approach the game when you come onto the field?
I think as the game progresses, I’m looking, I’m observing, and then when I get there, I try to exploit the weakness or the center back who is the weakest of both center backs on the other team. So, I think just analyzing the game in general is what helps me coming off the bench.
Coming off the bench isn’t an easy role… How do you approach the opportunity?
I think it does make an impact, my energy, my positivity, and all that kind of stuff. I think it really plays a key role helping the team because sometimes the game might be going, and I may be that guy who brings the extra 10% that the game needs, and that helps us to get over that line in scoring or just winning the game in general.
How do you make the most of your time when you are on the field?
If you get one chance, you have to score. I always tell myself that you’re only going to get one, so you have to make use of it and put it away.
Do you have a different approach when you start versus coming off the bench?
Not necessarily, but people keep telling me that I always have a lot of energy coming off the bench. Sometimes it doesn’t come as early as I want, but sometimes it does. But I think because it’s been happening so much of me coming off the bench, that’s what people really notice. But I think the energy, positivity, and enthusiasm is there from the beginning when I start games as well.
Do you see it as an advantage to come onto the field after the game has started?
I can start, I can score two goals, and then sometimes I can start, and not score. I think it’s just whatever the game gives at the moment I just try to take advantage of it.
Is there a specific goal or moment that is your favorite from this season?
I think the Open Cup game [against Valley 559 on March 31, 2026] when I got two goals and one assist, I really wanted a hat trick, but that was one of my most enjoyable games thus far.
