The USA All Stars are gearing up for this year’s Pacific Community Cup with an attitude of humility as they prepare to take on a series of unfamiliar opponents. Coach Imone Mohanta acknowledges the challenge that lies ahead, particularly in facing the formidable Fijian team, Rewa, known for their strong performance in the National League and their participation in the OFC Champions League.
Mohanta, who played a dual role as a player and coach last season, is also anticipating a challenging start against IDC champions Labasa. The matchup will be a rematch of last year’s encounter, which the USA All Stars won, providing a sense of familiarity for the team.
“The Pacific Cup is an extraordinary occasion that unites the Fijian diaspora worldwide through our passion for football. We’re eagerly looking forward to accepting this challenge and experiencing the sport in Fiji,” Mohanta stated.
With players scattered across the United States, Canada, and England, the team faces difficulties in training and preparation as a cohesive unit. The overlap with professional and collegiate seasons further complicates the process, limiting their ability to recruit notable Fijian talent.
Despite these hurdles, Mohanta highlighted the caliber of players selected for the tournament. He expressed confidence that their individual qualities, maturity, intelligence, and professionalism would compensate for any potential lack of team chemistry. Last year, these traits led to an undefeated record and a top position in their group.
The team will showcase several key players this year, including Hayden Prasad, a dynamic winger from Las Vegas noted for his assists, and Oliver McFadyen, a skilled midfielder from Manchester who was one of their top scorers and has experience with Fiji’s U20 national team. Additionally, Zach Verhoven, a seasoned professional from Vancouver, is set to make his tournament debut.
Mohanta also expressed pride in their roster that features guest players with extensive professional experience, including Javi Mariona, Alex Vedamanikam, Christopher Grey, Donovan Lescott, Jeremy Zielinsky, and Anthony White.
The clear objective for the USA All Stars is to bring home the Pacific Cup for the first time. “Anything less would not meet our expectations. We are ready to give our all with heart, determination, and pride in representing our country,” Mohanta concluded.
The USA All Stars will open their campaign against Labasa at 4:30 PM on Thursday, followed by matches against the NZFFI Auckland All Stars at 4:30 PM on Friday, and Rewa at 3 PM on Saturday.
This showcases a remarkable opportunity for the USA All Stars to bridge cultures through football while striving for victory. The challenges they face are substantial, but their collective talent and ambition could very well lead them to a memorable tournament.
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