Official Site of MISF

The last country in the world without a football team has finally arrived on the international stage.

The Marshall Islands officially made their long-awaited bow at the four-team Outrigger Challenge Cup, organised by the Marshall Islands Soccer Federation and held in Springdale, Arkansas from August 13th to 16th.

The Marshallese made their historic 11-a-side debut on August 14th against full FIFA and CONCACAF members the US Virgin Islands – but there was to be no fairytale beginning for the Marshall Islands as the Dashing Eagles ran out 4-0 winners. Rakeem Joseph bagged a 61-minute hat-trick – becoming the USVI’s all-time top scorer in the process – before Gabriel Catone-Highfield added the fourth with 10 minutes remaining.

But the result was largely immaterial for the Marshall Islands, who had announced themselves on the international scene with a competitive showing against a long-established FIFA nation. For the US Virgin Islands, however, there was cause for celebration. Their victory over the Marshallese was their first international success in three years.

The Marshall Islands’ second game of the tournament on August 16th against the Turks & Caicos Islands, also full members of FIFA and CONCACAF, would see them create more history. The Marshallese were 2-0 down after 24 minutes, Keniel Clervil and Junior Paul netting for the Caribbean islanders, before the world’s newest international team produced a moment to savour.

A slick Marshall Islands move saw defender Josiah Blanton receive the ball inside the Turks & Caicos’ box from a wonderful Aaron Anitok-Brokken chipped pass on 27 minutes. The 23-year-old took a touch before superbly rifling the ball past goalkeeper Sebastian Turbyfield to spark bedlam amongst the Marshallese players, management, and supporters. Not only had Blanton reduced the deficit, he had written his name into Marshallese folklore by scoring his country’s first-ever international goal.

The night got even better for the Marshall Islands when Aaron Anitok-Brokken added their second from the penalty spot on 72 minutes, but it wasn’t enough as they succumbed 3-2 to the Turks & Caicos Islands. Clervil’s 32nd minute strike proved to be the winner as the Turks & Caicos claimed their first Outrigger Challenge Cup victory.

The Turks & Caicos opened the tournament against CONCACAF rivals the US Virgin Islands on August 13th. Paul fired the Turks & Caicos Islands in front on 15 minutes before Carmelo Rodriguez levelled eight minutes before half-time.

With nothing separating the two sides after 90 minutes the match went to penalties – and it was the Dashing Eagles who clinched opening day glory, courtesy of a narrow 5-4 shootout win over their Caribbean counterparts.

Those in attendance at the Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium a day later for the second game of the tournament were treated to a pulsating, thrill-a-minute match between the Turks & Caicos Islands and Ozark United under-19s.

OZFC U19s – who were also participating in their first-ever fixture – found themselves 2-0 up at half-time thanks to Aukele Paikuli-Campbell’s 15th minute spot-kick and Wyatt Marksberry’s 23rd minute effort.

But whatever Turks & Caicos manager Aaron Lawrence said to his players at half-time worked, as the islanders roared back to turn the game on its head. Paul reduced the arrears on 65 minutes before Clervil equalised ten minutes later. Paul then struck with nine minutes remaining to complete a remarkable Turks & Caicos turnaround.

The Turks & Caicos Islands looked certain to claim victory after a magnificent second half performance – but spirited OZFC weren’t done yet. With 90 minutes on the clock, Paikuli-Campbell conjured a moment of magic to make it 3-3, taking the game to penalties.

But there was to be no storybook ending for OZFC, who had acquitted themselves admirably. There was, however, redemption for the Turks & Caicos, who banished their spot-kick heartbreak against the USVI by beating the Northwest Arkansas outfit 5-4 in the shootout.

The final game of the tournament, on August 16th, saw the US Virgin Islands needing to avoid defeat to Ozark United under-19s to lift the 2025 Outrigger Challenge Cup.

The Turks & Caicos Islands’ victory over the Marshall Islands earlier in the day meant both Caribbean nations had picked up six points – but with the Turks & Caicos having played a game more, a point for the Dashing Eagles would be enough for them to win the tournament.

But things didn’t start to plan for the US Virgin Islands, who found themselves trailing to Paikuli-Campbell’s eight-minute penalty kick.

This, however, did not phase the Dashing Eagles. Two quickfire goals from Naquan Henry and the irrepressible Joseph saw the US Virgin Islands ahead at the break.

The red-hot Paikuli-Campbell dragged OZFC back into the game on 58 minutes, but Matthew Roth restored the USVI’s lead seven minutes before the end. Connor Bass added the icing on the cake for the Dashing Eagles in the third minute of second half stoppage time, the 4-2 victory confirming the US Virgin Islands as 2025 Outrigger Challenge Cup champions.

The Marshall Islands Soccer Federation would like to congratulate the US Virgin Islands on winning the 2025 edition of the Outrigger Challenge Cup, and thank the Turks & Caicos Islands and Ozark United under-19s for participating in the tournament.

The federation would also like to extend our thanks to everyone who donated to our fundraiser, all of our sponsors, Springdale High School, and everyone who attended the tournament and watched online – without your tremendous support, none of this would have been possible. Ticket sales from the event were donated to the Soccer programme at Springdale High School, ensuring almost $4,000 is contributing towards our hosts upcoming season. We are incredibly grateful for their hospitality and generously allowing us to use their wonderful facilities at the Jarrell Williams Stadium.

The long-term ambition for the Marshall Islands remains to become part of the Oceania Football Confederation [OFC] or the Asian Football Confederation [AFC].

This, in turn, would lead to acceptance into FIFA, with the Marshall Islands Soccer
Federation aiming for membership for their men’s and women’s teams by 2030.

You can watch the full matches on the Marshall Islands Soccer YouTube channel.

2025 Outrigger Challenge Cup results:
● August 13th: US Virgin Islands 1-1 Turks & Caicos Islands (US Virgin Islands win 5-4 on penalties)
● August 14th: Turks & Caicos Islands 3-3 Ozark United under-19s (Turks & Caicos Islands win 5-4 on penalties
● August 14th: Marshall Islands 0-4 US Virgin Islands
● August 16th: Marshall Islands 2-3 Turks & Caicos Islands
● August 16th: US Virgin Islands 4-2 Ozark United under-19s

All games played at Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium, Springdale

2025 Outrigger Challenge Cup top scorers:
Four goals – Rakeem Joseph (US Virgin Islands), Aukele Paikuli-Campbell (Ozark United under-19s), Junior Paul (Turks & Caicos Islands).
Three goals – Keniel Clervil (Turks & Caicos Islands).
One goal – Aaron Anitok-Brokken (Marshall Islands), Connor Bass (US Virgin Islands), Josiah Blanton (Marshall Islands), Gabriel Catone-Highfield (US Virgin Islands), Naquan Henry (US Virgin Islands), Wyatt Marksberry (Ozark United under-19s), Carmelo Rodriguez (US Virgin Islands), Matthew Roth (US Virgin Islands).

We’d like to thank the following sponsors for contributing towards the success of our tournament.

Spiideo – Live streaming partners
PARK SSC – Matchball providers
PlayerLayer – Playing apparel providers
Lotto Research – Team sponsors
BeHydrogen – Goal sponsors
Parkio – Captain sponsor
Experience Fayetteville & Explore Springdale
Mount Seqouyah – Accommodation providers
And all of our generous individual player sponsors

Marshall Islands Team vs US Virgin Islands

16. Matt Perrella (replaced by 1.Jonathan Koehler 84″)
10. Lucas Schriver
21. Gladius Edejer
6. Josiah Blanton
2. Pat Phelon
19. Seth Sidle
8. Cullen Turanga
22. Dave Nigro
20. Aaron Anitok-Brokken
11. Folliet Schutz
7. Zach Hill

Marshall Islands Team vs Turks & Caicos Islands

16. Matt Perrella (replaced by 1. Jonathan Koehler)
4. Matt Webb
6. Josiah Blanton
21. Gladius Edejer
2. Pat Phelon (replaced by 10. Lucas Schriver 30″)
19. Seth Sidle
22. Dave Nigro
11. Folliet Schutz
20. Aaron Anitok-Brokken
12. Vinay Kumar
7. Zach Hill

Subs not used: 24. Zealand Shannon