Honestly, if you look at a FIFA ranking sheet, the US Virgin Islands soccer team usually sits near the bottom, often rubbing shoulders with places like San Marino or Anguilla. But rankings are kind of a lie. Or at least, they don't tell the whole story of what’s actually happening on the ground in St. Croix and St. Thomas right now.
It’s easy to dismiss a team that once lost 14-0 to Saint Lucia. It’s much harder to ignore a program that is currently building a literal empire from scratch. As of early 2026, the "Dashing Eagles" are in the middle of a massive identity shift. They’ve moved past the era of playing on cricket pitches and are now leaning into a professionalized structure that most Caribbean nations would envy.
The Bethlehem Factor and the New Infrastructure
For the longest time, the team was basically homeless. They played at Lionel Roberts Park—a baseball stadium—or at junior high school grounds. Imagine trying to develop a tactical identity when you’re literally worried about the dirt infield of a baseball diamond.
That changed with the Bethlehem Soccer Stadium in Christiansted. It’s a 1,200-seat facility, fully funded by FIFA, and it has changed everything. But the real news isn't just the stadium; it's the 2026 push for grassroots facilities. In late 2025, FIFA approved the construction of two new "FIFA Arena" mini-pitches. One is going to the St. Croix Educational Complex and the other to Ezra Fredericks Park in St. Thomas.
Why does this matter? Because soccer in the USVI has always been the "third sport" behind baseball and basketball. You can't win in CONCACAF if your best athletes are only picking up a soccer ball at age 14. These mini-pitches are designed to fix that. They’re putting high-quality turf in the middle of neighborhoods so kids actually play.
👉 See also: Tottenham vs FC Barcelona: Why This Matchup Still Matters in 2026
Who is Leading the Dashing Eagles?
The coaching situation has stabilized significantly. Terrence Jones, a local legend who actually played for the national team back in the day, is at the helm. There’s something to be said for having a "homegrown" coach. He knows the logistical nightmares of Caribbean travel. He knows how to recruit the diaspora.
Speaking of recruitment, the roster is a wild mix. You’ve got guys like Jett Blaschka, who has become the backbone of the defense with over 25 caps. Then you have the dual-nationals and the college kids.
The 2025/2026 Roster Realities
- J.C. Mack: The veteran captain. He’s played everywhere from New Zealand to Iceland. His experience is basically the "glue" for the younger kids.
- Rakeem Joseph: A genuine goal threat. In August 2025, he notched a hat-trick in a friendly against the Marshall Islands (an unofficial match, but still a confidence booster).
- The College Pipeline: A huge chunk of the squad now plays NCAA ball in the States. Look at Quinn Farrell or Zahmyre Harris. These aren't hobbyists anymore; they are conditioned athletes.
Recent Results: The Good, The Bad, and The Brutal
Let's be real for a second. The scorelines can still be ugly. In February 2025, the U-17 team got absolutely dismantled by the US youth team 22-0. It was a record-breaking disaster.
But the senior team is showing more grit. They’ve been competitive in League C of the CONCACAF Nations League. They aren't just getting rolled over; they’re losing tight 1-0 or 2-1 games. In November 2025, they traveled to Grenada and lost 4-1, but the score didn't reflect the fact that they held a 1-1 draw deep into the second half thanks to a Jannick Liburd goal.
✨ Don't miss: Buddy Hield Sacramento Kings: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
They are learning how to suffer. That’s the first step to winning.
The FIFA Series 2026
The biggest thing on the horizon is the FIFA Series. In late 2025, FIFA announced that the US Virgin Islands would participate in a friendly series in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. They’ll be facing American Samoa and Guam.
This is huge. Usually, the USVI only plays "up"—they play giants like Jamaica or El Salvador and get beat. The FIFA Series allows them to play teams at their own level. It’s about building a winning culture. If they can go to Puerto Rico and bag two wins, the FIFA ranking (currently hovering around 207) will skyrocket.
What Most People Get Wrong About USVI Soccer
People assume that because the US Virgin Islands is a US Territory, the team is just "USA Light." It’s not. The USVI Soccer Federation operates independently. They don't get a massive check from US Soccer. They have to fight for every cent from FIFA’s Forward 3.0 program.
🔗 Read more: Why the March Madness 2022 Bracket Still Haunts Your Sports Betting Group Chat
Also, the "Dashing Eagles" nickname isn't just a marketing thing. It represents a specific style of play Terrence Jones is trying to implement: fast, transitional soccer. They know they can’t out-possess Mexico. So they try to out-sprint you.
How to Actually Follow the Team
If you’re looking for highlights, don't expect them on ESPN. You basically have to stalk the USVI Soccer Federation (USVISF) Facebook page or watch the CONCACAF YouTube channel during Nations League windows.
The fan base is small but incredibly loud. If you ever get the chance to watch a game at Bethlehem Stadium, do it. The atmosphere is more like a family reunion with a drum line than a corporate sporting event. It’s raw.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans and Scouts:
- Watch the Nations League C: Keep an eye on the schedule for late 2026. This is where the USVI has the best chance to promote to League B.
- Monitor the Homegrowns: Watch players like Chase Adams (recently signed by Columbus Crew). While he plays for the US youth setups now, the "dual-national" tug-of-war is always a factor in the Caribbean.
- Support Local Clubs: The USVI senior team is only as good as the LRVI (La Raza) and Helenites club teams. These local leagues are the real engine of the national team.
The US Virgin Islands soccer team isn't going to win a World Cup anytime soon. They might not even make a Gold Cup this decade. But they’ve stopped being a "free win" for the rest of the Caribbean. They have a stadium, they have a plan, and they have a generation of kids who grew up playing on turf rather than dirt. That’s a dangerous combination for anyone who underestimates them.