Marshall Islands and Ozark United teams to play first international matches
The big picture:"More soccer in this region is better for the game, it's better for our community, and it's one more thing for our community to rally around," Ozark United co-founder Chris Martinovic told Axios.
He added that this week's matches, where local soccer fans can come see players wearing Ozark United jerseys, are a step toward elevating the sport and making the club a reality.
State of play: The region is home to the largest Marshallese population outside of the Marshall Islands, and the Marshall Islands men's team is having its first international match in Springdale. The Marshall Islands Soccer Federation formed in 2021.
Ozark United plans to launch Arkansas' first professional soccer teams. Its U19 academy for men ages 18–19 is playing its first match.
Driving the news: The Outrigger Challenge Cup matches also include teams from the U.S. Virgin Islands and Turks and Caicos Islands at the Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium at Springdale High School. The games started yesterday and continue through Saturday.
The Ozark United U19's first match is at 5:30pm Thursday against the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Flashback: Plans for Arkansas' first professional soccer teams were announced in 2023. Ozark United plans to build a 5,000-seat stadium in Rogers.
Around the same time, United Kingdom-based coach Lloyd Owers was helping build a Marshallese team. Woody Watson, an investor in Ozark United, helped connect the two, Martinovic said.
What they're saying:"Once we came across the massive Marshallese community in Arkansas, especially in Northwest Arkansas, we realized we had to do something here," Owers told Axios, adding that two players on the Marshallese team are from Arkansas.
How it works: Ozark United plans to form professional men's and women's soccer teams. In the meantime, it has launched six youth academy teams for boys and men ages 13–19 and is working on launching similar teams for girls and young women.
The youth teams can build a pipeline for soccer in Arkansas, as young players can go on to play professionally for Ozark United, Martinovic said.
What's next: The players for Ozark United's professional teams will be recruited locally, nationally and internationally once the organization is further developed and its stadium is built. The goal is to launch in 2027 or 2028, Martinovic said.
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