Gary Brooks is quickly establishing himself with Crystal Palace USA.

Playing in just his third game, Brooks’ scored both goals in his team’s 2-1 victory over the Bermuda Hogges Monday in Hamilton, Bermuda.

“This is why we signed him,” Crystal Palace co-coach Pete Medd said Tuesday. “He’s done this in U.S. professional soccer quite a bit. It’s good to see him have these types of games for us. He’s just getting himself fully match fit, and it’s something we can expect to see in the future.”

Brooks opened the scoring for Crystal Palace (4-5-5) in the 28th minute. He struck again 12 minutes later after taking a pass from Andrew Herman and blasting it into the net.

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Crystal Palace goalkeeper Brian Rowland made three saves while allowing only a goal to Hogges forward Stephen Astwood en route to the victory.

“We have ultimate confidence in Brian Rowland,” Medd said. “He’s just getting better and better and better. As a defender, you feel pretty confident that if there’s a breakdown, Rowland is going to be there to clean it up.”

By topping Bermuda (2-10-1) for the second time this season, Crystal Palace moved within three points of fifth-place Western Mass.

The Pioneers are the only team in the United Soccer League Second Division to beat Crystal Palace since May 12.

Crystal Palace is 4-1-5 in its last 10 games — picking up 17 points in the standings after opening the season 0-4. The first-year franchise is in sixth place in the United Soccer League’s-Second Division standings, trailing the Harrisburg City Islanders (7-2-5, 26 points) and Western Mass (5-4-5, 20 points) with six games remaining. The top four teams advance to the postseason.

“We’re very competitive,” Medd said. “We’re disappointed to not be in the top four.”

Crystal Palace will play the Pioneers Friday with a chance to pull into a tie for fifth place.

Crystal Palace also has two games remaining with the City Islanders.

Victories in all three games could give the expansion franchise a much-needed boost on its way to the postseason.

“We’re not totally out, though. If we win all three, we’re right back in the hunt,” Crystal Palace co-coach Jim Cherneski said. “I think it’s very possible. We have the ability to do it.”