skip navigation

NYRB II’s Flemmings Returning to Spotlight

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 04/25/17, 7:04PM EDT

Share

Jamaican standout says injury taught him ‘what patience feels like’


Photo courtesy New York Red Bulls II

The New York Red Bulls II’s Junior Flemmings was seeing his star ascend rapidly last season.

Named the No. 6 player in the 2016 USL 20 Under 20, the Jamaican U20 international had seven goals and four assists when a torn ACL derailed his first season with the club shortly before the USL Cup Playoffs.

While his teammates went on to secure the USL Cup, Flemmings was in the process of making sure he’d be back to his best in 2017.

“It was a tough pill to swallow,” Flemmings said in a Q&A with CONCACAF.com published on Monday. “I worked extremely hard for a pro deal in the United States and upon receiving it I got an injury. Now that time has passed, I can say that I know what patience feels like. I now know moving forward that I can be patient and that everything will fall into place in time.”

Flemmings has made three starts in six appearances for the Red Bulls II this season, and notched his first goal of the season in a 3-1 victory against Orlando City B just over a week ago. 

Aiming to follow in the footsteps of one of his heroes, former Red Bulls icon Thierry Henry, Flemmings has shown prodigious talent since being named the Red Stripe Premier League’s Young Player of the Year prior to signing for the Red Bulls II.

“It felt great to be awarded the young player of year trophy, but I know I have put in a lot of work because my ultimate dream was to play overseas in one of the top clubs,” said Flemmings. “As such, I used the Red Stripe Premier League as a motivation to move a step closer towards my dream, which is on the verge of becoming reality in years to come.”

Flemmings hasn’t quite been back to the best the USL saw from his last season, but as the side defends its championship there will likely be plenty of opportunity for the 20-year-old to continue his upward trajectory.

“Ambition plus Attitude plus Ability equals success,” Flemmings said. “It’s there for us. It’s just work and more work because there’s a lot of competition in the professional environment. Once you have the right mentally, and you believe, then you will surely be on the verge of fulfilling your dream.”

Follow the USL Championship

Most Recent News

Most Read News

Latest Videos