Vince Faso: We want to crack the top 10

On Sunday Team USA starts its World Floorball Championship adventure with a game against Korea. But they have already had time to practice, play two games as well as enjoy the city of Gothenburg. Assistant coach Vince Faso it ready to start the World Floorball Championships.

Tell us about the last friendly game?
- We played one of the best floorball high schools in Gothenberg. They were a very skilled team that played at a very high pace; constant pressure, and had lots of energy. I also think we were ready for them, Vince Faso reveals.

Team USA's Fabian Länzlinger against the Hulebäck school team.

How did it go?
- We matched their speed and physicality and were able to take a lot of shots once we settled into our game. The score went back and forth and ended in a shootout, after 6-6 at full time, with us coming up a little short. Regardless, I felt it was a very good game to prepare us for our game on Sunday versus South Korea.

Did any players stick out?
- Mattias Hansen played a solid game, and Maurin Ruegg was a constant threat on the court, moving the ball extremely well under pressure, and through dangerous areas of the offensive zone. Due to an injury, Umang Patel had to come into the game with only a little notice and did a great job jumping onto a new line for several shifts.

Before that you played a game against Lerum that play in the second highest league in Sweden.
- We knew the Lerum game was going to test our team right out of the gate, We had first practice as a team earlier in the day and had little time to work out the kinks that come with a team that plays together as infrequently as we do. We played hard and executed well in the first period, but Lerum's ability to move the ball as well as they do eventually took it's toll in the second period. We ended up losing 13-5.

Randall Aa against Lerum.

In front of over 400 people?
- Yes, the Lerum fans were amazing and the whole atmosphere was fun, positive, and welcoming.

Among our sponsors we find Floorball Gear and Unihoc. You got a chance to visit Unihoc?
- What a treat it was to get a tour of Unihoc's factory! We got to see where up to 5,000 sticks a day are produced and shipped out to every corner of the known floorball world. I can't wait until we can have something that impressive in the States. What a difference one day's production would make in the US.

Wander around Gothenburg what do you think of the WFC marketing?
- It's really cool seeing signs for the WFC all over the place. It's on bus stops, on taxis, billboards. I've heard we will breaking some records when it comes to ticket sales to this year's games. It is very exciting to see floorball continue to grow, even in Sweden.

Adam Troy, Vince Faso and Stefan Hedlund coaching against Lerum.

Back to Team USA. What goals do the team have for the WFC?
- We want to crack the top 10. Period. We want the floorball world to recognize that USA is getting dangerous. Teams should begin to fear us.

What are your impressions of the team so far?
- This is the fastest and most skilled Team USA I've ever seen. All three of our top lines are dangerous, and can inflict damage. The group is meshing well on the court and off. They are a positive bunch of guys who love floorball, push each other to be better, and are in it to win it.

And what are your expectations for the first game when you face Korea?
- We will win. We know they are fast, and we know they work hard, but we will be faster and we will work harder.

Captain Kalle Förare leading the defence against Lerum.

And the game is streamed live?
- I imagine the time difference will make it difficult for many fans stateside to watch the game live, but I hope that many make that small sacrifice of sleep, because it will be worth it, Vince Faso concludes.

You can find the World Floorball Championship website here and the U.S. first game streamed live here.

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