United States Virgin Islands national soccer team

The U.S. Virgin Islands national soccer team, nicknamed The Dashing Eagles, is the national soccer team of the U.S. Virgin Islands and is controlled by the U.S. Virgin Islands Soccer Federation.

U.S. Virgin Islands
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)The Dashing Eagles
AssociationU.S. Virgin Islands Soccer Federation
ConfederationCONCACAF (North America)
Sub-confederationCFU (Caribbean)
Head coachTerrance Jones
CaptainJ.C. Mack
Most capsJett Blaschka (24)
Top scorerJamie Browne
J.C. Mack (3)
Home stadiumBethlehem Soccer Stadium
FIFA codeVIR
First colors
Second colors
FIFA ranking
Current 207 Increase 1 (September 19, 2024)[1]
Highest149 (July 2011)
Lowest208 (March 2022, November 2023)
First international
 U.S. Virgin Islands 1–0 British Virgin Islands 
(U.S. Virgin Islands; March 21, 1998)
Biggest win
 Anguilla 0–3 U.S. Virgin Islands 
(The Valley, Anguilla; March 22, 2019)
Biggest defeat
 Saint Lucia 14–1 U.S. Virgin Islands 
(Port-au-Prince, Haiti; April 14, 2001)

History

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Though FIFA did not officially recognize the USVI team as affiliated until 1992, the Virgin Islands federation was founded in the 1970s by Trinidad native Robert T. Wills who helped build the base of the USVI Soccer Federation as it is known today. The team played its first official international match on March 21, 1998, in a victory against the British Virgin Islands.[3] In May 2011, the USVI soccer federation chief, Frederick Hillaren, began ambitious changes in the team and appointed Keith Griffith, former coach and captain of the Barbados national team and former coach of Trinidad and Tobago powerhouse club team Joe Public F.C., as technical director. Within two months of Griffith's appointment, the team shot up 51 places in the FIFA World Rankings. Soccer is the third most popular sport on the islands.[3]

Stadium

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Previously the team did not have a national stadium and were forced to play their home matches at Lionel Roberts Park, a baseball stadium in Charlotte Amalie. For their 2014 World Cup qualification matches, the team needed to bring in a new grass surface and make other special arrangements.[3] In the past, the team has played at Paul E. Joseph Stadium in St. Croix.[4] However, in February 2012, it was announced that the stadium was condemned and will be demolished to make way for a new sports complex that will cost at least $50 million. The 50-acre (20 ha) complex will contain venues for tennis, volleyball, baseball, and aquatics. However, the plans did not include a new soccer stadium.[5]

For the 2018 World Cup qualification, the team played at the Addelita Cancryn Junior High School Ground where they suffered a 4–0 loss to the Barbados national team.[6]

In August 2019, the USVI Soccer Association officially opened the 1,200-seat Bethlehem Soccer Stadium in Christiansted after an almost four-year construction process of the new complex.[7][8]

Results and fixtures

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The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023

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14 October 2023–24 Nations League Aruba   3–1   U.S. Virgin Islands Oranjestad, Aruba
Report
Stadium: Guillermo Prospero Trinidad Stadium
Referee: Kwinsi Williams (Trinidad and Tobago)

2024

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26 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification British Virgin Islands   0–0 (a.e.t.)
(1–1 agg.)
(4–2 p)
  U.S. Virgin Islands Road Town, British Virgin Islands
15:00 UTC−4 Report Stadium: A. O. Shirley Recreation Ground
Referee: Ken Pennyfeather (Antigua and Barbuda)
Penalties
Note: 1–1 on aggregate. British Virgin Islands won 4–2 on penalties and advanced to the second round.
9 October 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League Bahamas   v   U.S. Virgin Islands Barbados
--:-- UTC−4 Stadium: TBD
12 October 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League U.S. Virgin Islands   v   Barbados Barbados
--:-- UTC−4 Stadium: TBD

Coaching history

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Technical directors

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Players

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Current squad

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The following players have been named to the squad for 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League C match against Bahamas and Barbados on 4 and 10 September 2024.[10]

Caps and goals updated on September 10, 2024, following the match against   Barbados.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Dylan Ramos (2001-08-06) August 6, 2001 (age 23) 7 0   Savannah Clovers
1GK Terrence Jones Jr. (1991-12-20) December 20, 1991 (age 32) 1 0   Rovers
1GK Whelan Joseph (2002-10-08) October 8, 2002 (age 21) 1 0   Eastern Illinois Panthers

2DF Jett Blaschka (1999-12-16) December 16, 1999 (age 24) 24 1 Unattached
2DF Joshua Ramos (2000-04-25) April 25, 2000 (age 24) 18 0   Tormenta
2DF Zahmyre Harris (1998-10-14) October 14, 1998 (age 25) 11 0   Georgia Southern University
2DF Kidaniel Perez (1997-09-12) September 12, 1997 (age 27) 3 0   Rovers
2DF Carmelo Rodríguez (1992-12-19) December 19, 1992 (age 31) 3 0   Rovers
2DF Deve Barbour (1993-01-12) January 12, 1993 (age 31) 2 0   Rovers
2DF Alfred Harris (1999-01-23) January 23, 1999 (age 25) 1 0   Rovers
2DF Jonathan Fuller (1991-06-04) June 4, 1991 (age 33) 0 0   La Raza

3MF Jamie Browne (1989-07-03) July 3, 1989 (age 35) 11 3   United We Stand
3MF Julius Brown (2005-04-11) April 11, 2005 (age 19) 8 0   Bethel University Pilots
3MF Axel Bartsch (2002-05-16) May 16, 2002 (age 22) 7 0   La Raza
3MF Gabriel Catone-Highfield 2 1   Frederick CC Cougars
3MF Rabi Abdallah (2004-12-04) December 4, 2004 (age 19) 1 0   Helenites
3MF Aubin Atemazem 1 0   New Vibes

4FW Jimson St. Louis (2002-12-02) December 2, 2002 (age 21) 20 1   Dalton State Roadrunners
4FW Rakeem Joseph (2000-05-23) May 23, 2000 (age 24) 14 2   Empire
4FW Matthew Roth (2004-08-14) August 14, 2004 (age 20) 10 0   Coastal Rush Pensacola
4FW Naqwan Henry (2004-11-16) November 16, 2004 (age 19) 9 1   La Raza
4FW Hasani Edgar (2003-08-20) August 20, 2003 (age 21) 1 0   Unique
4FW Dylan Berry 0 0   Football Club Prime

Recent call-ups

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The following players have also been called up to the United States Virgin Islands squad within the last twelve months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Lionel Brown (1987-09-17) September 17, 1987 (age 37) 20 0   Helenites v.   Cayman Islands, 17 October 2023
GK Ramius Stiehler (1999-08-18) August 18, 1999 (age 25) 1 0   St Petersburg Aztecs v.   Cayman Islands, 17 October 2023

DF Quinn Farrell (2002-09-26) September 26, 2002 (age 22) 13 1 Unattached v.   British Virgin Islands, 26 March 2024
DF Sam Eliades (1995-02-15) February 15, 1995 (age 29) 1 0   LRVI v.   Aruba, 17 November 2023
DF Kassall Greene (1985-09-08) September 8, 1985 (age 39) 21 0   Galo v.   Cayman Islands, 17 October 2023
DF Jaeden Joseph (2007-04-11) April 11, 2007 (age 17) 0 0   Helenites v.   Cayman Islands, 17 October 2023
DF Matthew Meyers (2006-03-31) March 31, 2006 (age 18) 0 0 Unattached v.   Cayman Islands, 17 October 2023
DF John Engerman (2000-10-25) October 25, 2000 (age 23) 11 0   Bloomsburg Huskies v.   Cayman Islands, 7 September 2023
DF Metcheley Fevrius (1996-09-13) September 13, 1996 (age 28) 0 0 Unattached v.   Cayman Islands, 7 September 2023

MF Mohammed Abdallah (2004-12-05) December 5, 2004 (age 19) 0 0 Unattached v.   Bahamas, 4 September 2024
MF Raejae Joseph (1997-08-09) August 9, 1997 (age 27) 15 1   Helenites v.   British Virgin Islands, 26 March 2024
MF Andrew Shaffer (2004-03-09) March 9, 2004 (age 20) 3 0   Bowling Green University v.   British Virgin Islands, 26 March 2024
MF Yahya Yusuf (1993-05-13) May 13, 1993 (age 31) 0 0   Rovers v.   Aruba, 17 November 2023
MF Christopher Griffith (2005-10-18) October 18, 2005 (age 18) 0 0 Unattached v.   Aruba, 17 November 2023
MF Jair Whyte (2004-06-04) June 4, 2004 (age 20) 3 0   Merrimack Warriors v.   Cayman Islands, 17 October 2023
MF Kersan Marcellin (1993-07-05) July 5, 1993 (age 31) 2 0 Unattached v.   Cayman Islands, 17 October 2023
MF Andrew Bornn (2006-09-22) September 22, 2006 (age 18) 0 0 Unattached v.   Cayman Islands, 17 October 2023
MF Humberto Delgado (2000-03-10) March 10, 2000 (age 24) 3 0   Helenites v.   Cayman Islands, 7 September 2023

FW Devante Larsen 0 0   Prankton v.   Bahamas, 4 September 2024
FW Orion Mills (2002-09-09) September 9, 2002 (age 22) 8 1 Unattached v.   British Virgin Islands, 26 March 2024
FW J. C. Mack (captain) (1988-10-08) October 8, 1988 (age 35) 18 3   Napier City Rovers v.   Aruba, 17 November 2023
FW Ramesses McGuiness (2000-01-06) January 6, 2000 (age 24) 12 1   Pittsburgh City United v.   Cayman Islands, 17 October 2023
FW Matthew Roth (2004-08-14) August 14, 2004 (age 20) 5 0 Unattached v.   Cayman Islands, 17 October 2023
FW Arthbert William (2004-12-06) December 6, 2004 (age 19) 0 0   Texas Lutheran University v.   Cayman Islands, 17 October 2023

INJ Withdrew due to injury
PRE Preliminary squad / standby
RET Retired from the national team
SUS Serving suspension
WD Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.

Records

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As of September 9, 2024[11]
Players in bold are still active with US Virgin Islands.

Most appearances

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Jett Blaschka is US Virgin Islands' most capped player with 24 appearances.
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Jett Blaschka 24 1 2018–present
2 Dusty Good 21 0 2011–2021
Kassall Greene 21 0 2016–present
4 Lionel Brown 20 0 2019–present
Jimson St. Louis 20 1 2019–present
6 MacDonald Taylor Jr. 19 1 2006–present
7 J.C. Mack 18 3 2018–present
Joshua Ramos 18 0 2019–present
9 Raejae Joseph 17 1 2018–present
Dwayne Thomas 17 1 2002–2015

Top goalscorers

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J. C. Mack is US Virgin Islands' joint-top scorer with 3 goals.
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Jamie Browne 3 11 0.27 2006–present
J. C. Mack 3 18 0.17 2018–present
3 Kevin Sheppard 2 2 1 2002
Reid Klopp 2 5 0.4 2011
Trevor Wrensford 2 6 0.33 2016–2019
Bryce Pierre 2 8 0.25 2004–2019
Aaron Dennis 2 9 0.22 2018–2019
Rakeem Joseph 2 14 0.14 2018–present

Competitive record

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FIFA World Cup

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FIFA World Cup Qualification
Year Round Position Pld W D* L F A Pld W D L F A
1930 to 1998 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
    2002 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 1 14
  2006 2 0 0 2 0 11
  2010 1 0 0 1 0 10
  2014 8 2 0 6 6 41
  2018 2 1 0 1 1 4
  2022 4 0 0 4 0 15
      2026 2 0 2 0 1 1
      2030 To be determined To be determined
  2034
Total 0/8 22 3 3 16 10 97

CONCACAF Gold Cup

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CONCACAF Gold Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
  1991 Did not enter Did not enter
   1993
  1996
  1998
  2000 Withdrew from qualification Withdrew from qualification [12]
  2002 Did not qualify 3 0 0 3 2 37
   2003 2 0 0 2 2 11
  2005 3 0 1 2 1 22
  2007 2 0 0 2 1 12
  2009 Did not enter Did not enter
  2011
  2013
   2015 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 1 3
  2017 2 1 0 1 3 3
    2019 4 1 0 3 3 16
  2021 2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League
   2023 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League
Total 0 Titles 0/17 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 2 1 13 13 104

CONCACAF Nations League

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CONCACAF Nations League record
League Finals
Season Division Group Pld W D L GF GA P/R Finals Result Pld W D L GF GA Squad
2019–20 C A 6 1 0 5 3 11     2021 Ineligible
2022–23 C A 6 1 1 4 5 10     2023
2023–24 C B 4 0 1 3 5 11     2024
2024–25 C A To be determined   2025
Total 16 2 2 12 13 32 Total 0 Titles

Caribbean Cup

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Lionel Roberts Park was used as the USVI home stadium before construction of the Bethlehem Soccer Stadium.
Caribbean Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D* L GF GA
  1989 Did not enter Did not enter
  1990
  1991
  1992
  1993
  1994
    1995
  1996
    1997
    1998 Withdrew Withdrew
  1999 Did not qualify 2 0 2 0 2 2
  2001 3 0 0 3 2 37
  2005 3 0 1 2 1 22
  2007 3 1 0 2 4 12
  2008 Did not enter Did not enter
  2010
  2012
  2014 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 1 3
  2017 4 1 0 3 3 17
Total 0 Titles 0/19 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 2 3 12 13 93

Head-to-head record

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Team Pld W D L GF GA GD WPCT
  Anguilla 3 1 2 0 3 0 +3 33.33
  Aruba 2 0 0 2 2 7 −5 0.00
  Antigua and Barbuda 4 0 0 4 1 23 −22 0.00
  Bahamas 2 0 2 0 3 3 0 0.00
  Barbados 6 1 0 5 1 15 −14 16.67
  Bermuda 1 0 0 1 0 6 −6 0.00
  Bonaire 3 0 0 3 1 6 −5 0.00
  British Virgin Islands 8 3 2 3 7 11 −4 37.50
  Canada 1 0 0 1 0 8 −8 0.00
  Cayman Islands 4 0 1 3 3 7 −4 0.00
  Curaçao 4 0 0 4 1 21 −20 0.00
  Dominica 1 0 0 1 0 5 −5 0.00
  Dominican Republic 3 0 0 3 3 17 −14 0.00
  El Salvador 1 0 0 1 0 7 −7 0.00
  Grenada 3 0 0 3 1 13 −12 0.00
  Guadeloupe 1 0 0 1 0 11 −11 0.00
  Guyana 1 0 0 1 0 7 −7 0.00
  Haiti 4 0 0 4 1 36 −35 0.00
  Jamaica 1 0 0 1 1 11 −10 0.00
  Montserrat 2 0 0 2 0 5 −5 0.00
  Saint Kitts and Nevis 2 0 0 2 0 11 −11 0.00
  Saint Lucia 3 0 0 3 1 25 −24 0.00
  Saint Martin 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 33.33
  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2 0 0 2 1 14 −13 0.00
  Sint Maarten 3 1 1 1 4 4 0 33.33
  Turks and Caicos Islands 3 1 1 1 5 5 0 33.33
Total 71 8 10 53 42 281 −239 11.27
Source: Results

References

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  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. September 19, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. September 11, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d "US Virgin Islanders find a foothold". fifa.com. FIFA. Archived from the original on October 15, 2011. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  4. ^ Davis, Dave (September 7, 2011). "V.I. Men's Soccer Team Trounced in World Cup Qualifier". stthomassource.com. V.I. Source Publications, Inc. Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  5. ^ Shatwell, Justin (February 16, 2012). "Plans Unveiled for Frederiksted Sports Complex". stcroixsource.com. V.I. Source Publications, Inc. Archived from the original on February 12, 2015. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  6. ^ "USVI 0 Barbados 4". fifa.com. FIFA. Archived from the original on June 11, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  7. ^ "Sunday August 11 FIFA and Concacaf Presidents will be visiting the US Virgin Islands". United States Virgin Islands Soccer Association. Archived from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  8. ^ "USVI Soccer Association Invites Community to Masters Tournament on Aug. 11". St. Croix Source. Archived from the original on August 10, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  9. ^ "Helenites are USVI Soccer Champions". virginislandsnewsonline.com. Virgin Islands News Online. February 28, 2015. Archived from the original on December 10, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  10. ^ "The selected #Dashing Eagles for our first @concacafnationsleague campaign of the year". Instagram. November 14, 2023.
  11. ^ "US Virgin Islands". National Football Teams.
  12. ^ "Gold Cup 2000".
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