Skippering the side for the first time this week in Tonga, Ott is a perfect choice for the armband given his long tenure in the national team, and role as a Sergeant in the US Military.
The 29-year-old is now in his third FIFA World Cup campaign, with his international career covering American Samoa’s impressive rise from whipping boys to regional competitors.
A crucial win on Wednesday over Tonga – a repeat of their breakthrough 2-1 victory against the same opponents four years ago – leaves American Samoa in a position to overhaul Cook Islands tomorrow in the Stage 1 finale.
“We executed our game plan and I’m excited, and so are all the boys,” Ott said of the win over Tonga. I think we picked it up compared to the first game. We needed this win.”
“Now we have to come out even hungrier than we did in 2011. We were hungry then, but now we have to really come out shooting.
“I think we will do we well. I think we are evenly matched from what I have seen but we will see how it plays out.”
Ott scored the winner against Tonga with a sweet strike, meaning he now has the rare achievement of scoring in three consecutive FIFA World Cup campaigns.
“I told the boys I didn’t think I would score today, or even in the tournament,” said Ott, whose brother Diamond also featured in the national team in 2011.
For coach Larry Mana’o, Ott’s contribution has been over and above what he could have expected.
“I mean, the captain to get a goal like that? Just beautiful, I’m very ecstatic for him,” Mana’o says.
“There’s a little joke in the locker room, there’s Frankie (Demetrius Beauchamp), I think now Justin (Mana’o) is tied and now Ramin has just stepped in front of both of those guys.”
Although the ever modest leader disagrees with his coach on that point.
“There is no competition (for top goal scorer). I just want to help the boys and help the country.”
The Class of 2015 boasts far more ball-players than it did four years ago, but equally there is no denying the team’s resilience and hunger for success. Twice American Samoa have fought back from behind, though they narrowly failed to overhaul Samoa in the opener having given up an early 3-0 margin, before their rivals eventually edged home 3-2.
“When Tonga scored I told the boys that Tonga weren’t going to win today, and we came through. We have come a long way, and we’re changing it little by little.”

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