Gjonbolaj triplets shine for Staten Island soccer champs

Photo: The Gjonbolaj triplets – Lindi, Lirim and Luan from left to right – courtesy of Staten Island United

(Via ENYYSA) – 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. 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 are playing in tournaments in New Jersey and Delaware and expect to be playing in the prestigious Dallas Cup again next spring.