The Gjonbolaj Kids – Lindi, Lirim and Luan – Making a Triple Play for Staten Island Soccer Champs
Youth soccer is always very exciting and a family affair – but sometimes there is a family where all the kids are passionate about the beautiful game of soccer. In New York City, this triple play is a great example of youth soccer players soaring to new heights – together.
New York Youth Soccer News: The Staten Island United Gunners, one of the best teams in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), captured a double as they won both the ENY Premier League championship game and ENY Champions Cup on the weekend of June 20 and 21. But they are also associated with a triple since triplets–Lindi, Lirim and Luan Gjonbolaj––play for the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) Boys-Under-15 team. Lindi plays in midfield, Lirim is a forward and Luan plays defense and they have been playing for Staten Island for the past two years.
“The triplets are great fun and they bring a whole lot of energy to the team and are very positive kids,” commented Staten Island coach George MacDonald. “I sometimes think they swap jersey numbers just to mess with the coaches as it is still difficult to differentiate them.”
Their teammates are able to tell the Manor Heights triplets apart since they are with them more often, such as school in addition to soccer, but the Staten Island coaches sometimes have issues figuring out who is who.
Coach MacDonald added, “Each have their own individual qualities but all are feisty. Lindi is very aggressive and pacy, Lirim is a great finisher and Luan is a great passer.”
Staten Island hopes to add to their growing trophy case this summer as they will be playing in tournaments in New Jersey and Delaware and expect to be playing in the prestigious Dallas Cup again next spring.
Photo courtesy of Staten Island United.
Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association: With over 100,000 youth soccer players–both boys and girls–and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 11 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators.
All levels of soccer are offered–from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Special Children. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association.
