Omar Holness didn’t take long to endear himself to the Real Salt Lake faithful. On the stage of the Baltimore Convention Center where he was selected fifth overall by RSL in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, Holness closed his speech with a smile on his face and a decleration to the club that picked him and its fans.
“To RSL, this is incredible,” he beamed from the podium. “To the fans, let’s win some championships.”
That’s the goal at Rio Tinto Stadium and already Holness is on his way toward big things with his new club. At the University of North Carolina, he had five goals and 11 assists in three seasons, playing 59 matches for the Tar Heels. He also has experience with the Jamaican National Team, getting called in to the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup as well as getting time with the U-23 team during Olympic qualifying and the U-20 and U-17 teams for FIFA Youth World Cup qualification.
A midfielder from North Carolina, Holness has the workrate, speed and technical ability to slot well between veterans Kyle Beckerman and Javier Morales. His plan is to learn from those two, as well as Luke Mulholland and John Stertzer, while competing with another incoming rookie in Homegrown Player signing Danilo Acosta.
“I love watching those players play,” Holness said. “I’m somewhat versatile and I have a bit of speed, so I could be thrown out wide. But I’m excited to speak with the coaches and find out where best I can fit in.”
He already has a few fast connections with the team. A longtime follower of the Jamaican National Team, he excitedly pumped his fist when he talked about working with RSL’s coaching staff that includes Tyrone Marshall and Head Scout Andy Williams and sharing the field with defender Demar Phillips.
He will also reunite with former North Carolina teammate Boyd Okwuonu, who played a significant role in recruiting Holness to North Carolina.
The two were combatants in a youth national team match while Okwuonu was at UNC, but soon became friends after Holness too was recruited by UNC Head Coach Carlos Somoano.
That relationship eased his transition to the college level and he made a quick adjustment in Chapel Hill. Now moving from college to the pros, he will make another speedy shift at RSL.
“Moving from Jamaica to the college ranks certainly wasn’t easy. The speed of play was a lot faster and there were a lot more things that I had to think about. I’m sure moving from college to the professional leagues will be just as difficult or even more difficult, but I’m up for any challenge,” he said. “I like taking on new things and challenging myself.”
Holness will join the team at training camp next week as RSL prepares for its Quarterfinal Round clash with UANL Tigres in CONCACAF Champions League. As those matches draw closer, he will become more and more prepared for his new life at the professional level.
But on Thursday, he allowed himself time to enjoy the moment when he learned his fate as the fifth overall pick for Real Salt Lake.
“I’m just so excited to see the atmosphere at the Riot,” he smiled again. “I’m absolutely amazed and I believe that the fans are a huge part of any club’s success.”
