A native of Kingston, Jamaica, Omar Holness is a freshman midfielder on the men’s soccer team. He captained Jamaica’s under-17 national team that appeared in the 2011 World Cup and was the vice captain of the U-20 team that nearly qualified for the 2013 World Cup.
The Daily Tar Heel’s Carlos Collazo caught up with Holness after UNC’s season opener against Monmouth.
The Daily Tar Heel: Has adjusting to the way soccer is played in the United States been easy for you?
Omar Holness: Nothing in life is easy. But the transition from, or the pace of futbol —or soccer as you guys call it in the States — it’s not difficult. But the pace is faster here — it’s much faster.
DTH: What has been the biggest challenge for you so far?
OH: The biggest challenge so far is the management of time. There’s a lot more stuff to do, so that’s most critical.
DTH: How has playing for the Jamaican under-17 and U-20 teams helped in your transition to college soccer in the U.S.?
OH: It helps in regards to management of time off the pitch, and even on the pitch. I mean the pace of the game, playing against teams like Mexico and all that.
DTH: Has the transition as far as day-to-day life goes been tough?
