CARY, N.C. (Oct. 21, 2022) – North Carolina FC has announced their team award winners for the 2022 USL One season. In a team vote, Garrett McLaughlin is team Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year. Chris Lue Young is team Defensive Player of the Year, Nico Rincon is newcomer of the year and Pecka earns the Leadership Award.
McLaughlin finished second in the Golden Boot race this season, netting 14 goals in his first season with the club. He took 52 shots and created 21 chances while going five-for-five from the penalty spot. McLaughlin played in all 30 matches, playing 2,377 minutes, for NCFC this season and crossed the 50-match milestone for his career.
Lue Young led the team with 2,498 minutes and played in 29 of 30 matches at outside back, starting 27 of them. He led the team with 39 interceptions, made 35 tackles and won 115 of 199 duels, including 36 of 55 aerial duels.
The 16-year-old Rincon came on strong in the back half of the season, getting on the field for 11 matches and making give starts. His impressive work on the training ground earned him increased minutes and it culminated in his first professional goal for a game-winner against Central Valley Fuego on Sept. 28, also adding an assist in the win.
This is the second straight NCFC Leadership Award for Pecka. The 32-year-old continues to be a veteran leader and source of wisdom for one of the youngest rosters in USL One. On the field, his 88.6% passing accuracy and 65.2% long pass accuracy both led the team.
For all the latest news and updates on North Carolina FC throughout the off-season, follow @NorthCarolinaFC on social media and visit www.northcarolinafc.com on the web. Information on the 2023 season, including schedule, ticket information, roster updates and more, will be announced throughout the winter.