USVI Soccer Association Youth Players Return from CFU 2021 Boys’ and Girls’ U-14 Challenge Series

The US Virgin Islands Soccer Association welcomed home the U-14 boys’ and girls’ teams, who were attending the 2021 CFU Boys and Girls Challenge Series in the Dominican Republic. From the start of the tournament to the finish, the event was a weeklong celebration of the love for the beautiful game. The children played several back-to-back match days with determination, commitment and passion, no matter the skill level of their opponent. The developmental tournament placed 11 boys’ and 10 girls’ national football teams from across the Caribbean into tiers based on skill set. Due to the on going Covid pandemic several countries did not participate.

The boys played 3 games in a round robin format within their group – Tier II Boys. Finishing the group in 1st and 2nd Bonaire and Aruba won their USVI games with, identical score lines of 9-0. The locker room was filled with chants of “Ole, ole, ole, ole!”, after winning their 3rd and final match, 2-1 against Turks and Caicos Islands. Devante Larsen, scored in the 22nd minute and Jaeden Joseph in the 36th. The young men expressed pride in being able to score as a representative of the USVI National team.

The girls finished 3rd place in Tier II Girls. Aruba topped the group, beating our girls 7-0. Turks and Caicos Islands despite drawing to USVI 0-0 finished in 2nd place. Curaçao lost 3-2 and took 4th in the group. Gabriella Quezada scored in the 2nd and 11th minute. Her sister Angelina, also contributed with a goal in the 22nd minute. Fifth place went to St. Kitts and Nevis, losing 2-1 to the USVI. Gabriella Quezada’s scored both goals, her tournament total is 4 goals.
Coach Claudia Lombard is very pleased with her team’s performance. She has seen the results of the months of intensive training and fitness sessions. The girls’ performance on the pitch showed improvement in their work ethic, soccer skills and technical understanding of the game.
Coach Lombard sees a bright football future for USVISA Females if this group of girls continue to work hard and train.

USVISA U20 Females will travel to Curacao for Concacaf U20 Female Championship Qualifiers to be held in Curacao September 13-17, 2021. The USVI is one of thirteen teams competing for a chance to go to the next round. The winners of each group advance directly to the Knockout Stage of the 2022 CWU20 after round robin play. The upcoming games are the road to qualifying for the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Costa Rica. Team selection will be announced shortly.