CARY, N.C. (Nov. 14, 2024) — North Carolina FC has announced their internal team awards for the 2024 USL Championship season following a team vote. The results were shared with the team during exit meetings earlier this month.
Forward Oalex Anderson was voted as the Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year, defender Ezra Armstrong was voted Newcomer of the Year, defender Bryce Washington was voted Defensive Player of the Year, and team captain Paco Craig received the Leadership Award.
Anderson led NCFC in scoring in the team’s first season back in the USL Championship, finding the back of the net 13 times across the regular season and playoffs. The St. Vincent and the Grenadines captain scored the playoff-clinching goal in a Judgment Day win over Las Vegas to break the NCFC career scoring record. Following his goal in the playoffs, the record now sits at 37.
Following the end of the regular season, Anderson was also named a Sporting Ambassador by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines prime minister.
Armstrong was named to the USL Championship All-League Second Team following his stellar debut season in Cary. The wingback scored five goals and added a team-high six assists during the regular season. The Gastonia, North Carolina, native also created 24 chances, won 39 tackles and 155 duels, made 38 interceptions, completed 47 dribbles. Armstrong earned a team-high six USL Championship Team of the Week honors during the season.
Washington also made a major impact in his first season with North Carolina FC, playing as the middle center back in NCFC’s three-back system. He led the team in passing accuracy, ending the year with 91.48%, while winning 26 tackles and 84 duels, making 92 clearances and 28 interceptions.
Washington also finished with just 13 fouls conceded and two yellow cards, the lowest among any of NCFC center backs for either statistic.
Craig wore the captain’s armband for the entirety of the 2024 USL Championship season, bringing a wealth of experience in the league to NCFC’s first season back in the USL’s highest division. Craig reached the 200 regular season appearance mark during the season and anchored the NCFC defense with 27 tackles won, 95 aerial duels won, and a team-high 104 clearances.
Craig also contributed on the offensive end with three goals, including a game-tying goal in the playoff-clinching win over Las Vegas on the final day of the regular season.
