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Real Salt Lake MF Omar Holness Called into Jamaican National Team

August 25, 2016 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release


SANDY, Utah- Real Salt Lake MF Omar Holness has been called up by the Jamaican National Team for upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. Holness and Jamaica will face Panama on September 2 in Panama and Haiti on September 6 in Jamaica.

Holness will join Jamaica following RSL's match against the Colorado Rapids on Friday. It will be his first call-up for Jamaica since being drafted fifth overall in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. Previously he had been called up in 2014, making his debut in a friendly against Canada on September 9, 2014.

"I'm so happy that my hard work has paid off. I'm excited for this opportunity to represent my country in such important matches in the qualifying cycle," Holness said. "I've very grateful for the opportunity to play with Jamaica and I'm thankful for the opportunity that Real Salt Lake has given me."

Holness, 22, joined RSL after playing three seasons with the University of North Carolina. In his professional debut on March 26 with Real Monarchs - Real Salt Lake's second team that plays in the USL - he suffered a seizure in the first half of the match. He returned to the field on May 13 with the Monarchs and has totaled eight appearances with the USL club, eventually earning his way into the first team. With RSL, he has eight appearances this season, three of them in a starting role.

"We are so proud that his development has continued to a point where they want to call him in which means as a club we are continuing our dedication to developing young players," Real Salt Lake General Manager Craig Waibel said. "It's a huge credit to Omar that he put in the work to come back from his injuries and not just return to the level he was at before, but also continue his development."

Added RSL Head Coach Jeff Cassar, "Omar went through a lot this year and to be playing meaningful minutes for our team says a lot about his work ethic. I think the national team has recognized that. He's an extremely talented young man and if he keeps maturing he's going to have a very bright future."

The Reggae Boyz are in the semifinal round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. Jamaica is currently third in Group B with four points, trailing Costa Rica with 10 points and Panama with seven points. The top two teams will advance out of Group B and into CONCACAF's Fifth Round of World Cup Qualifying.

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