Duluth FC’s Carlyle Junior claims NPSL Goal of the Year with delicate chip

Duluth FC’s Carlyle Junior has been awarded the 2019 NPSL Goal of the Year, the league announced this week. His delicate chip over the La Crosse Aris FC goalkeeper in his team’s July 12 home win at Duluth East High School earned him the distinction.

Junior helped carry Duluth FC to a stellar 8-2-2 mark this season, good for third place in the North Division. Perhaps even more impressively, the club finished with a division-best +27 goal differential, but ended up just missing out on the playoffs.

“It has been a blessing to have Carlyle on the team this year and he is deserving of this award,” said Duluth FC head coach Joel Person. “This particular goal is also special because it is a great all-around team goal. The build-up, combination play, and finish are an example of the brand of soccer Duluth FC played throughout the season. The whole team should be proud of this award.”

Here’s video of the filthy chip, courtesy of MyCujoo.tv:

Junior completed a brace later in the match, which ended in a lopsided 11-0 result in favor of the BlueGreens, the club’s widest margin of victory since joining the NPSL in 2017.

“First of all, I would like to praise God for this award, as it shows His grace and favor over my life,” Junior said. “I would like to thank my family, friends, and Duluth FC fans and supporters for voting for me showing their huge support. I am also very grateful to everyone in Duluth FC staff, especially Coach Joel Person, for they gave me the opportunity to wear this jersey. Also thanks to my teammates because without them my accomplishments on the field would not be possible. It’s a very special moment in my career, as my first season playing here in the United States. I’m very thankful and proud to have started playing in the NPSL, a fantastic and competitive league. I pray to God this may be the first of many years playing in this blessed country.”

Junior led Duluth FC with 10 goals on the season. He bagged nine of them in NPSL play and one in the U.S. Open Cup.

The 27-year-old Brazilian’s golazo was selected as the best strike of the NPSL season via a vote by teams, media members and supporters.

Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KJboxing.

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