Holness Called To Jamaican National Team
September 8, 2014 | Men's Soccer
A call from Winfried Schäfer could mean an incredible opportunity. Or, in Omar Holness' mind, it could be a practical joke.
"'Omar, I've been watching you, and you've been developing yourself pretty well. I'd like to call you for this national team. How do you feel about that?'"
The young midfielder laughed.
"At first, I was drawn back. I thought it was a prank call. And then he said to me, 'Omar, this is truly Winfried Schäfer, coach of the [Jamaican] national team.' And I said, 'Coach, I accept. I am dumbfounded.'"
Dumbfounded. Not exactly the expected response from a soccer star starting his second season with the North Carolina Tar Heel men's soccer team. But that's all he could muster.
Holness, a native of Kingston, Jamaica, plans to play with the Jamaican Senior National team in a friendly against Canada on September 9.
"It's an amazing experience," Holness said. "When the coach called me, I was completely surprised. But it's a privilege, really."
The former team captain of the Jamaica U17 World Cup team and vice captain for the Jamaica U20 team that advanced to the final stages of the U20 CONCACAF World Cup qualifier, Holness had experience representing his country around the world. But this stage is a bit different.
"I know that I'll be one of the youngest players there," Holness said. "I know I would be one of the least experienced players there. But it's just for me to go and show what I have to offer. I just have to be confident."
Luckily, however, the atmosphere which he treasures at Carolina will be quite similar in the friendly.
"I will be in the midfield similar to how I play here at UNC," Holness said. "It's the exact same setup, so that's beneficial to me. Coach is similar to Carlos, we play the same way, same hype/rest system, keeping the ball, and that kind of stuff."
Holness also rejoiced in the fact that he will be surrounded by players he admires.
"A couple of the guys I have played with on my U17 team and the U20 team, so I do know a couple of the guys. And some of the pro guys I look up to as figures."
And Holness hopes that, with this experience, he will return to Carolina with a greater sense of the future and the possibilities available to his team.
"I know that I'll come back more confident than ever in everything that I do," Holness laughed. "I'll be just around my teammates, sharing my culture with them, as usual."
But when it comes down to it, Holness loves being a Tar Heel.
"The setup here at Carolina is pretty intense. It's similar to a professional game. Supporters here are completely the best, and I love it."
And maybe one day, he will proudly walk to the center of the World Cup stage, head held high, donning the yellow and green, reminiscing on the game that launched him into the hearts of the Jamaican fans.
"It's something that's bigger than myself. And I know that, and every game, I know I have to go out there and give my all and leave it all out on the pitch."
Written by Laura Fellwock, North Carolina Athletic Communications
