This interview was conducted by Vermont Green FC intern, Emily Battistoni.
Vermont Green FC is delighted to announce club captains for the 2024 season. Daniel Pacella and Moussa Ndiaye will wear the armbands as the club enters its third season. Following in the footsteps of two-year captain Jake Ashford, the duo will take up the mantle of leading the squad on and off the pitch.
Daniel Pacella is one of the original Vermont Green FC players, having been with the team since the club’s inaugural season in 2022. The 24-year-old midfielder from Montreal is currently the all-time appearance leader for the Green, set to play in his 30th competitive match in Sunday’s season opener at Boston City FC. After spending four years at the University of Vermont, where he was also captain of the men’s soccer team, Pacella has made a home in Burlington.
Virtue Field has seen Pacella’s work ethic develop and shine over the years, no doubt the cornerstone of what will be his captainship. Describing himself as “someone who is very disciplined and works hard,” Pacella emphasizes the importance of being a role model to his teammates. “That’s what got me to be in this leadership position is just every day being able to be one of the hardest workers. Being someone that the boys could look up to.”
This dedication to the beautiful game gives him the necessary confidence and composure to command, even under the highest of intensities. “I handle it before the competition… I’ve done the work before the competition to make sure that I am ready for it,” he says. This preparation is especially important in a condensed season where resilience is key. Reflecting on how the team must respond to challenges, Pacella emphasizes, “The important thing is if our form slips or something goes wrong, just to be able to be resilient and bounce back.”
Moussa Ndiaye has quickly become not only a fan favorite in Burlington, but a trusted and respected leader within the club. The 23-year-old from Senegal was a mainstay in his first season with Vermont Green FC, leading the team in minutes-played (1,092) in the 2023 season. Ndiaye has 15 competitive appearances with the Green—13 in league play and 2 in the US Open Cup—all of which are starts. With a calm demeanor and a tireless commitment to his craft, the venerated defender now accepts the great responsibility of leading his teammates into the new campaign.
Just hours after the news broke on Friday, May 17th, Ndiaye glowed with excitement, stating, “Being made captain for the Green is a good thing because in this community we have great people.” With his demonstrated unwavering commitment to his craft and his usual calm demeanor settling back in, Ndiaye clearly understood the importance of his new role. “You have to be responsible for it because it is not a given,” he says seriously, discussing the obligations associated with being captain. Reflecting on his promotion, Ndiaye further emphasizes, “You have to show through leading by example, on and off the field.”
As captain, supporting his teammates is one of Ndiaye’s top priorities. He aims to create an environment where both individuals and the team as a whole can thrive. “Everybody has their good and bad moments,” he notes, highlighting the importance of team accountability and remembering each player’s humanity beyond the game. In those moments, he asserts, the team’s responsibility is to “bring each other up,” demonstrating the unified mentality characteristic of captaincy.
“Both players were selected for their quality as individuals, their leadership abilities, and their dedication to the club.” said Manager and Sporting Director Adam Pfeifer. “These guys have shown an exemplary dedication to not only excellence on the pitch, but in engaging with the club’s mission through acts of service in the community, and an eagerness to be a part of the big picture of what the club is trying to create. Congratulations to Danny and Moussa.”
Vermont Green FC wishes our new captains nothing but success ahead of the 2024 campaign!