The USA All Stars are gearing up for the Pacific Community Cup with a sense of humility and anticipation, aware that they will be up against new and challenging opponents. Coach Imone Mohanta is particularly mindful of the formidable competition posed by Rewa, a powerhouse in the Fijian National League and a participant in the OFC Champions League.
Mohanta, who served as a player/coach last season, is looking forward to their opening match against Labasa, the IDC champions, having previously emerged victorious against them last year. This matchup presents a degree of familiarity that may benefit the team.
“The Pacific Cup is a truly extraordinary event, bringing together the Fijian diaspora from around the world through our shared love for football. We are eagerly embracing the challenge this year and look forward to experiencing the sport in Fiji,” he expressed.
He noted the logistical challenges faced by the team, as its players are scattered across the United States, Canada, and England, making unified training nearly impossible. Additionally, conflicts with professional and collegiate seasons have hindered their ability to attract several standout Fijian talents.
Despite these obstacles, Mohanta emphasized that the selected players possess remarkable qualities, such as maturity, intelligence, and professionalism, which he believes can compensate for any shortcomings in team chemistry. Last year, the USA All Stars were able to remain undefeated and secure the top spot in their group, a feat they hope to replicate.
Among the talents to watch this year are Hayden Prasad, a dynamic winger who was the team’s assist leader, Oliver McFadyen, a crafty midfielder and top scorer, and Zach Verhoven, a seasoned player making his tournament debut.
The coach proudly mentioned their roster of guest players with extensive professional backgrounds, including Javi Mariona, Alex Vedamanikam, Christopher Grey, Donovan Lescott, Jeremy Zielinsky, and Anthony White.
Mohanta concluded by reaffirming their ambitious goal: to bring the Pacific Cup to the United States for the first time. “Anything less would fall short of our expectations. With heart, determination, and a deep sense of pride in representing the red, white, and blue, we are ready to give it everything we’ve got.”
The USA All Stars are set to commence their tournament journey against Labasa at 4:30 PM on Thursday, followed by matches against the NZFFI Auckland All Stars and Rewa on Friday and Saturday, respectively.
As the team prepares for this exciting competition, there lies an optimistic outlook. Harnessing their individual talents and unyielding spirit, the USA All Stars are poised not just to compete, but to potentially achieve greatness on an international stage.
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