Latest news with #OzarkUnited
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
A 4-0 loss but Pacific islanders make soccer history
The Marshall Islands have lost their first ever international football match 4-0 to the US Virgin Islands on a high school gridiron pitch in Arkansas -- but not before making history as the world's newest national soccer team. The remote Pacific nation with fewer than 40,000 people played their first-ever international at the 3000-capacity Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium in Springdale, better known as home to the local high school's American football team. "I feel surreal this morning; it's one of those out-of-body experiences," technical director Lloyd Owers said before the historic match. "I don't think we or anyone else thought we'd be here in two-and-a-half years. The fact that it's going viral across the world is a great feeling." Owers, an English ex-semi-professional player, who took charge in 2022, led a squad this week that included players experiencing 11-a-side football for the first time. With just five training sessions together, the 20-man squad spans generations from a 15-year-old to a player in his early 40s. "They were a bit nervy, understandably, but we have a good dynamic off the field and that has helped raise our game," Owers added. "Now we're going into these games wanting to compete and turn that nervous energy into a positive experience." The match kicked off the Marshall Islands' own created tournament — the Outrigger Challenge Cup, a four-team event featuring two FIFA nations, Turks and Caicos Islands (world-ranked 206th)and US Virgin Islands (207th), plus local side Ozark United's under-19 team. Northwest Arkansas was chosen as the venue because it hosts the largest Marshallese community in the United States and offers a convenient mid-point for Caribbean opponents. The Marshall Islands Soccer Federation, established in 2021 with the support of British volunteers and self-funded, harbours ambitions that extend beyond Thursday's outing. FIFA membership would unlock up to $US8 million ($A12 million) in funding over four years, but confederation membership is required first. Despite writing to the Oceanian confederation, the Marshall Islands say they have received no response, with the OFC citing a 'lack of direct air links' as the barrier. They are, however, considering applying to CONCACAF (the North American confederation) and the AFC (Asian confederation). Saturday brings their next challenge against the Turks and Caicos Islands and another chance to make history. The Marshall Islands have lost their first ever international football match 4-0 to the US Virgin Islands on a high school gridiron pitch in Arkansas -- but not before making history as the world's newest national soccer team. The remote Pacific nation with fewer than 40,000 people played their first-ever international at the 3000-capacity Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium in Springdale, better known as home to the local high school's American football team. "I feel surreal this morning; it's one of those out-of-body experiences," technical director Lloyd Owers said before the historic match. "I don't think we or anyone else thought we'd be here in two-and-a-half years. The fact that it's going viral across the world is a great feeling." Owers, an English ex-semi-professional player, who took charge in 2022, led a squad this week that included players experiencing 11-a-side football for the first time. With just five training sessions together, the 20-man squad spans generations from a 15-year-old to a player in his early 40s. "They were a bit nervy, understandably, but we have a good dynamic off the field and that has helped raise our game," Owers added. "Now we're going into these games wanting to compete and turn that nervous energy into a positive experience." The match kicked off the Marshall Islands' own created tournament — the Outrigger Challenge Cup, a four-team event featuring two FIFA nations, Turks and Caicos Islands (world-ranked 206th)and US Virgin Islands (207th), plus local side Ozark United's under-19 team. Northwest Arkansas was chosen as the venue because it hosts the largest Marshallese community in the United States and offers a convenient mid-point for Caribbean opponents. The Marshall Islands Soccer Federation, established in 2021 with the support of British volunteers and self-funded, harbours ambitions that extend beyond Thursday's outing. FIFA membership would unlock up to $US8 million ($A12 million) in funding over four years, but confederation membership is required first. Despite writing to the Oceanian confederation, the Marshall Islands say they have received no response, with the OFC citing a 'lack of direct air links' as the barrier. They are, however, considering applying to CONCACAF (the North American confederation) and the AFC (Asian confederation). Saturday brings their next challenge against the Turks and Caicos Islands and another chance to make history. The Marshall Islands have lost their first ever international football match 4-0 to the US Virgin Islands on a high school gridiron pitch in Arkansas -- but not before making history as the world's newest national soccer team. The remote Pacific nation with fewer than 40,000 people played their first-ever international at the 3000-capacity Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium in Springdale, better known as home to the local high school's American football team. "I feel surreal this morning; it's one of those out-of-body experiences," technical director Lloyd Owers said before the historic match. "I don't think we or anyone else thought we'd be here in two-and-a-half years. The fact that it's going viral across the world is a great feeling." Owers, an English ex-semi-professional player, who took charge in 2022, led a squad this week that included players experiencing 11-a-side football for the first time. With just five training sessions together, the 20-man squad spans generations from a 15-year-old to a player in his early 40s. "They were a bit nervy, understandably, but we have a good dynamic off the field and that has helped raise our game," Owers added. "Now we're going into these games wanting to compete and turn that nervous energy into a positive experience." The match kicked off the Marshall Islands' own created tournament — the Outrigger Challenge Cup, a four-team event featuring two FIFA nations, Turks and Caicos Islands (world-ranked 206th)and US Virgin Islands (207th), plus local side Ozark United's under-19 team. Northwest Arkansas was chosen as the venue because it hosts the largest Marshallese community in the United States and offers a convenient mid-point for Caribbean opponents. The Marshall Islands Soccer Federation, established in 2021 with the support of British volunteers and self-funded, harbours ambitions that extend beyond Thursday's outing. FIFA membership would unlock up to $US8 million ($A12 million) in funding over four years, but confederation membership is required first. Despite writing to the Oceanian confederation, the Marshall Islands say they have received no response, with the OFC citing a 'lack of direct air links' as the barrier. They are, however, considering applying to CONCACAF (the North American confederation) and the AFC (Asian confederation). Saturday brings their next challenge against the Turks and Caicos Islands and another chance to make history.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
A 4-0 loss but Pacific islanders make soccer history
The Marshall Islands have lost their first ever international football match 4-0 to the US Virgin Islands on a high school gridiron pitch in Arkansas -- but not before making history as the world's newest national soccer team. The remote Pacific nation with fewer than 40,000 people played their first-ever international at the 3000-capacity Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium in Springdale, better known as home to the local high school's American football team. "I feel surreal this morning; it's one of those out-of-body experiences," technical director Lloyd Owers said before the historic match. "I don't think we or anyone else thought we'd be here in two-and-a-half years. The fact that it's going viral across the world is a great feeling." Owers, an English ex-semi-professional player, who took charge in 2022, led a squad this week that included players experiencing 11-a-side football for the first time. With just five training sessions together, the 20-man squad spans generations from a 15-year-old to a player in his early 40s. "They were a bit nervy, understandably, but we have a good dynamic off the field and that has helped raise our game," Owers added. "Now we're going into these games wanting to compete and turn that nervous energy into a positive experience." The match kicked off the Marshall Islands' own created tournament — the Outrigger Challenge Cup, a four-team event featuring two FIFA nations, Turks and Caicos Islands (world-ranked 206th)and US Virgin Islands (207th), plus local side Ozark United's under-19 team. Northwest Arkansas was chosen as the venue because it hosts the largest Marshallese community in the United States and offers a convenient mid-point for Caribbean opponents. The Marshall Islands Soccer Federation, established in 2021 with the support of British volunteers and self-funded, harbours ambitions that extend beyond Thursday's outing. FIFA membership would unlock up to $US8 million ($A12 million) in funding over four years, but confederation membership is required first. Despite writing to the Oceanian confederation, the Marshall Islands say they have received no response, with the OFC citing a 'lack of direct air links' as the barrier. They are, however, considering applying to CONCACAF (the North American confederation) and the AFC (Asian confederation). Saturday brings their next challenge against the Turks and Caicos Islands and another chance to make history.
Axios
4 days ago
- Sport
- Axios
Marshall Islands and Ozark United teams to play first international matches
It's a big week for soccer in Northwest Arkansas with a tournament featuring international teams including the Marshall Islands' newly formed soccer team, and Arkansas' new soccer club will be participating. 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.
