Moon Township, Pa. – Back on the campus of Robert Morris University, in the dormitories of Washington Hall, Neco Brett and Devon "Speedy" Williams spent nights dreaming about their futures.

Their immediate prospects turned out okay. Brett would become the only player in Northeast Conference (NEC) history to win three Player of the Year awards, while Williams garnered All-NEC selections in his junior and senior campaigns.

But before being bestowed with all those awards and accolades, the duo hailing from Kingston, Jamaica, imagined a life post-Robert Morris playing the game that they loved.

"We used to stay up some nights just talking about if and when we would become professionals," said Williams.

"To be honest, that was always the thing – to make it professionally," added Brett. "We were trying to be noticed, trying to influence the younger kids from back home."

Mission accomplished.

This Wednesday evening, at Slugger Field in Louisville, Ky., the two reunite as Williams' Louisville City FC squad hosts Brett and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in a pivotal United Soccer League (USL) showdown.

The two have taken different paths after graduation – not in the way one might expect – but ultimately in a direction that has led them to their first professional meeting. Williams, a 2015 graduate, signed two months after walking at commencement with the USL's New York Red Bulls II. Brett, a 2016 alumnus, became the second player in program history to be selected in a Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft when the Portland Timbers picked him 40th overall (second round).

It was Williams, though, who would find immediate success. Just weeks after signing his first professional contract, the midfielder appeared against Chelsea FC of the English Premier League in the International Champions Cup. The following year, he helped lead Red Bulls II to their first USL Cup championship, and last November he provided the game-winning assist in Louisville City's 1-0 triumph in the USL Cup Finals, making it a personal double.

"Winning is fun and you want to do it as much as possible," said Williams. "That's my motivation, just to keep on winning and not being satisfied out there. I'm always wanting more."

Meanwhile, across three time zones, Brett was trying to find his footing. In 2016-17, he tallied seven goals in 28 appearances with Portland Timbers 2 of the USL and made his MLS debut as a substitute against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on May 22, 2016. Then, after a change of direction in the club, Brett found himself on the sidelines.

"Things just weren't working out," said Brett. "It wasn't because I wasn't practicing or playing really good. There was a change of direction and we were both going in separate directions, so I didn't really play much. I was just there."

That led to a detour in Israel as he joined Hapoel Nazareth Illit FC, but unfortunately it was more of the same.

"To be honest, I know my talents and the only thing I need is one coach to give me a chance," said Brett. "I needed to prove myself so I decided to leave and went to Israel to play for a little bit. Things didn't really work out, so I decided to come back to America to see what's open."

Someone that believed in Brett during his whirlwind 2017-18 season? Williams, of course.

"I told him to keep his head up and just reminded him that he's one of the best goal scorers that I know," said Williams. "I just kept on giving him that friendly motivation."

That guided Brett back to Pittsburgh as he joined the Riverhounds on trial in February. Following an impressive preseason campaign, the striker officially had a new address at what he calls his home away from home.

"It felt really good," said Brett of returning to the Steel City. "It was easy for me to come back and adjust, and get back to what I know how to do at RMU, which is scoring goals."

And it didn't take long for Brett to do just that. In his first start with the Riverhounds, he posted a hat trick and added an assist against Toronto FC II. Currently, he sits tied for third in the USL with eight goals, one off the Golden Boot pace.

"I knew we were playing a MLS second team," said Brett of his performance against Toronto FC II. "So those teams, you really – as a striker – want to score. It could be the day where their first team coach is looking, and realize this guy is scoring against our team. You just want to put your name out there and put it all out against a MLS-affiliated team."

While Brett was finding his form once again, Williams was adding to his personal accomplishments. Over the last calendar year, he earned a total of three call ups with the Jamaican National Team and started for the Reggae Boyz in a February friendly against World Cup qualifier South Korea.

"It's definitely at the top (of my career highlights) for sure," said Williams. "Hopefully I can keep getting the call ups. I'm just trying to keep my performance here consistent, trying to keep performing for my team, and hopefully the (Jamaican) national program keeps calling me up."

Playing alongside his former teammate for Jamaica is something Brett feels could come soon.

"It's all about time," said Brett, who previously earned caps with the Jamaican U17, U20, and U23 sides. "All I need to do is continue to put in the work, continue to score goals, and just stay positive. If or when my time comes, I just have to make use of it like Speedy did."

While Wednesday's bout holds importance in the USL Eastern Conference race, Williams and Louisville City FC also remain alive as the league's lone remaining team in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Four victories, including one over the MLS's New England Revolution, have placed the squad in the quarterfinals against the Chicago Fire.

"I wouldn't say they're more important because all games are important," said Williams of the U.S. Open Cup tilts. "We're trying to win every game but it does have a little more buzz to it, playing against a top division team. You want to prove yourself."

"In a knockout competition, games are always going to be more intense," continued Williams. "Because in the back of your mind, losing this game means me and you are going home. There's a little more fight, a little more aggression, a little more intensity, and stuff like that that goes into knockout games."

That trip to the Windy City doesn't commence until July 18, however. Until then, Williams has Brett's Riverhounds in his sights and vice versa.

Brett just hopes history doesn't repeat itself in his first professional game against Williams.

"Oh my, that was a crazy game," said Brett with a chuckle. "They beat us 3-nil in the (high school) semifinals. Their team was really, really good. I remember the first 10-15 minutes, my team was playing really good, but then Speedy got into the game. He was just controlling the game, passing the ball, dictating the pace. He was great and was the one who really influenced his team."

 As for how it'll be like when Brett and Williams meet each other on the pitch, the two shared the same laugh.

"I'm just going to try my best," said Williams. "Because he's a very fast and intricate player. I'm going to try my best to stop him."

"It's rivals for 90 minutes," added Brett. "Friends for life."

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