The first match for American Samoa’s National Mens Soccer Team, outside of Oceania ended in defeat.
Our boys lost to the US Virgin Islands 5-2 in a FIFA series in Puerto Rico.
With new head coach Diego Gomez leading the team for the first time, American Samoa did at least score their first international goal against a nation outside of the Oceania Football Confederation, but it proved in vain after leaking goals in a poor beginning to the contest.
American Samoa were caught cold at the start, conceding three goals inside the first 20 minutes as US Virgin Islands eased into an early unassailable lead.
American Samoa weren’t to go down without a fight though, adding some respect to the scoreline with two late goals.
Captain Ali’i Mitchell scored both – first winning a penalty that saw the opposing defender sent off with a red card. Mitchell duly sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot, before stealing possession back moments after the restart and adding a second with a sublime finish on his left foot into the bottom-left corner.
The team’s next match is against Guam on Saturday.
Source: Oceania Football Confederation
