Duluth FC’s Carlyle Junior Earns 2019 NPSL Goal of the Year

The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) is proud to announce that Carlyle Junior’s July 12th goal against LC Aris FC has been selected as the 2019 NPSL Goal of the Year. The selection was made through online voting by teams, media members, fans, and supporters.

Watch the goal here:

“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 joined Duluth FC this summer from his native Brazil, where he had experience with several clubs, including Clube de Regatas do Flamengo and Centro de Futebol Zico (CFZ). Carlyle’s involvement with CFZ was as a professional and his time with Flamengo was a combination of youth and senior appearances. His time in various levels of the Brazilian game have helped Carlyle learn from the best when it comes to the final third and even afforded him the opportunity to play with the legendary Ronaldinho. Junior hopes to continue his soccer journey in the U.S. wherever it may take him, with professional aspirations on the horizon.

The 2019 NPSL Goal of the Year came late in the final game of the season against NPSL North opponent Lacrosse Aris FC, with the game well in hand. Junior’s beautiful chip in the 58th minute made the score 9-0, capping an emphatic victory that would finish at 11-0.

Junior completed his first season in NPSL as Duluth FC’s top goalscorer with nine goals in all competitions, earning DFC’s first annual Kyle Farrar Golden Boot Award.

“It has been a blessing to have Carlyle on the team this year and he is deserving of this award,” Duluth FC head coach Joel Person said. “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.”

 Photo Credit: William Garnett Photography