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Colorado Springs’ Hadji Barry Voted Championship’s Player of the Month

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 07/15/21, 1:30PM EDT

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Guinean striker was on fire in June, recording seven goals in five games to lead Switchbacks’ surge

TAMPA, Fla. – Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC forward Hadji Barry has been voted the USL Championship’s Player of the Month for June after recording seven goals and three assists in his side’s five games during the month. Barry’s run of form saw him score in all five contests and run an overall scoring streak to seven games before it came to an end on July 1.

Barry’s run through the month was reminiscent of his record-setting scoring streak three seasons ago, when he scored in eight consecutive games for Sporting Kansas City II. That run saw him nominated for the Player of the Month award in September 2018, but Barry doesn’t believe the two streaks are comparable because of the different points he’s achieved them in his career.

“Both streaks are really special for me, to be honest,” he said. “I'm always thankful for my teammates and coaching staff because without them, I wouldn't be in those positions to be scoring goals in consecutive games. I just feel like I'm a more mature player now with more experience and I think I'm playing a lot better than I was playing in Kansas, even though I was scoring goals. I'm just full of confidence right now and I hope to keep it going.”

Barry was one of the notable offseason arrivals as the Switchbacks moved into their new 8,000-seat downtown home Weidner Field for the 2021 season. His attacking play alongside that of fellow attacking players Michee Ngalina and Deshane Beckford has helped drive Colorado Springs back into the playoff conversation in a tough Mountain Division. Barry currently sits on 12 goals for the season to lead the race for the Championship’s Golden Boot, and last week notched his 50th regular-season goal in the Championship for his career.

Having recently signed a two-year extension to his contract with the club, Barry is aiming to lead the Switchbacks to not only their first playoff berth since 2016, but even greater heights this year.

“I'll forever be grateful for the opportunity the Switchbacks have given me and the belief they have shown in me since the first day I got here,” he said. “I'm really looking forward to calling Colorado Springs my home for the next few years. I can't wait to bring more success to this organization and bring happiness to our fans because we have some of the best fans in the league with the new stadium. I'm just looking forward to it, I'm excited for the years to come.”

Barry received 52 percent of a weighted poll that included the USL Championship Technical Committee, a national panel of independent media representing every USL market and an online fan vote held at USLChampionship.com. FC Tulsa’s Rodrigo da Costa finished second on 20 percent after recording four goals and two assists in five games across the month, while Hartford Athletic’s Danny Barrera finished in third place on 15 percent after recording three goals and three assists in four contests.

USL Championship Player of the Month – June 2021

Nominee Fan Vote Weight Media Vote Weight USL Vote Weight Total Vote
Hadji Barry (COS) 14% 7% 83% 20% 100% 25% 52%
Rodrigo da Costa (TUL) 40% 20% 0% 0% 0% 0% 20%
Danny Barrera (HFD) 30% 15% 0% 0% 0% 0% 15%
Cameron Lancaster (LOU) 11% 6% 8% 2% 0% 0% 8%
Ronaldo Damus (OC) 5% 3% 8% 2% 0% 0% 5%

 

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