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American Samoa national football team facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Not to be confused with Samoa men's national football team.
This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see American Samoa women's national football team.
Quick facts for kids
American Samoa
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) The Boys from the Territory
Association Football Federation American Samoa
Confederation OFC (Oceania)
Head coach Shani Simpson
Captain Justin Manao
Most caps Nicky Salapu (24)
Top scorer Ramin Ott (3)
Home stadium Pago Park Soccer Stadium
FIFA code ASA
First colors
Second colors
FIFA ranking
Current 190 Steady (February 7, 2019)
Highest 164 (October 2015)
Lowest 205 (May 2006)
Elo ranking
Current 236 Steady (3 March 2019)
Highest 188 (August 22, 1983)
Lowest 238 (August 27, 2015)
First international
 Samoa 3–1 American Samoa 
(Apia, Western Samoa; August 20, 1983)
FIFA recognized
 Tonga 3–0 American Samoa 
(Avarua, Cook Islands; September 2, 1998)
Biggest win
 Wallis and Futuna 0–3 American Samoa 
(Apia, Western Samoa; August 22, 1983)
FIFA recognized
 American Samoa 2–0 Cook Islands 
(Nuku'alofa, Tonga; September 4, 2015)
Biggest defeat
 Australia 31–0 American Samoa 
(Coffs Harbour, Australia; April 11, 2001)
(World record for senior international matches)
Pacific Games
Appearances 6 (first in 1983)
Best result Sixth place (1987)
Polynesia Cup
Appearances 3 (first in 1994)
Best result Fourth place (1994)

The American Samoa men's national football team represents American Samoa in international association football (soccer) games. The team is controlled by the Football Federation American Samoa, which is the main group for soccer in the territory. Their home field is the Pago Park Soccer Stadium in Pago Pago.

History of the Team

Starting Out

In 1983, American Samoa joined a soccer tournament for the first time at the 1983 South Pacific Games. Their very first official game was on August 20, 1983, in Apia, Western Samoa. They lost 3–1 to Western Samoa. Just two days later, they won their first game ever, beating Wallis and Futuna 3–0! However, they didn't make it past the first round after losing to Tonga.

The next year, the American Samoa Football Association (now called Football Federation American Samoa or FFAS) was created. This group took over organizing the national team.

After playing in the 1987 South Pacific Games and the 1994 Polynesia Cup, FFAS became a full member of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). This meant they could play in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the first time! Their first FIFA-recognized international game was in 1998, where they lost 3–0 to Tonga.

The Record-Breaking Loss

In April 2001, during their first try to qualify for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, American Samoa played a game that set a world record. They lost 31–0 to Australia. This was the biggest loss ever in an international soccer match!

Because of this huge difference in scores, people started talking about how qualification tournaments should be set up. Even Australia's coach and a player who scored 13 goals in that game thought there should be earlier rounds to avoid such uneven matches. FIFA agreed, and this led to new rules for the Oceania zone qualification to make games fairer.

Becoming Stronger

For a long time after joining FIFA, American Samoa was known as one of the weakest teams in the world. They were often at the very bottom of the FIFA World ranking.

But things started to change! On November 23, 2011, American Samoa won their second game ever, and their first FIFA-recognized win. They beat Tonga 2–1 in the qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. This was a huge moment, as it ended a streak of 38 losses in a row!

The team's journey to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup was even made into a movie called Next Goal Wins. In October 2015, the team reached their highest ever FIFA World Rankings spot, climbing to 164th. This happened after they won two games in a row against Tonga and the Cook Islands during the qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

After playing in the 2019 Pacific Games, American Samoa was removed from the FIFA World Rankings. This was because they hadn't played a match in over four years, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The team finally played again at the 2023 Pacific Games.

Finding Players

American Samoa sometimes struggles to find enough players. The territory has a small population, and many talented young people move away for school or work. Also, some choose to play other sports like baseball. Another challenge is that international rules often require players to be citizens of the country they play for. People born in American Samoa are United States nationals, but people who move there from other countries might not be able to become U.S. nationals, making them unable to play for the team. One idea is for the team to find players from the United States, similar to how Tahiti gets players from France.

Team Matches

Recent Games (2023)

Here are some of the games American Samoa played in 2023:

Recent Games (2024)

Coaching Staff

Here are the people who help coach and manage the American Samoa national football team:

Position Name
Head coach American Samoa Shani Simpson
Assistant coach American Samoa Fred Maiava
Team manager American Samoa Silasila Samuelu
Physicotherapist American Samoa Uaealesi Malaga
Goalkeeper coach American SamoaAugustine Grey

Coaching History

Many coaches have led the team over the years:

  • American Samoa Tiwo Kummings (2000)
  • American Samoa Anthony Langkilde (2001)
  • American Samoa Tunoa Lui (2001–2002)
  • England Ian Crook (2004)
  • American Samoa Nathan Mease (2007)
  • England David Brand (2007–2010)
  • American Samoa Iofi Lalogafuafua (2011)
  • Netherlands Thomas Rongen (2011)
  • American Samoa Larry Mana'o (2015–2019)
  • American Samoa Tunoa Lui (2019–2023)
  • American Samoa Ruben Luvu (2023–2024)
  • England David Jones (2024)
  • Netherlands Thomas Rongen (2024)
  • American Samoa Shani Simpson (2024)

Players

Current Squad

These players were chosen for the 2023 Pacific Games.

The numbers for games played (caps) and goals scored are correct as of November 30, 2023, after the game against Tonga.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Penieli Atu (2005-09-05) 5 September 2005 (age 19) 3 0 American Samoa PanSa
23 1GK Matthias Logologo (2002-06-24) 24 June 2002 (age 22) 1 0 American Samoa Pago Youth
3 2DF Austin Kaleopa (2001-04-24) 24 April 2001 (age 24) 8 0 American Samoa Utulei Youth
4 2DF Poasa Collins (2004-01-12) 12 January 2004 (age 21) 2 0 American Samoa Pago Youth
5 2DF Leaga Lealuga 4 1 American Samoa Black Roses
6 2DF Robert Yarofalir 3 0 American Samoa Green Bay
8 2DF Lalofau Fe'a 4 0 American Samoa Pago Youth
14 2DF Misiona Fagapulea 2 0 American Samoa Ilaoa and To'omata
15 2DF Pela Scanlan (2006-01-24) 24 January 2006 (age 19) 3 0 American Samoa Pago Youth
2 3MF Roy Ledoux (2000-06-26) 26 June 2000 (age 24) 9 0 American Samoa Pago Youth
10 3MF Tia Silao 4 1 American Samoa Pago Youth
11 3MF Billjay Vaitoelau (2002-04-13) 13 April 2002 (age 23) 4 1 American Samoa Royal Puma
12 3MF Kuresa Taga'i (2000-08-04) 4 August 2000 (age 24) 7 0 American Samoa Ilaoa and To'omata
13 3MF Larry Silao 2 0 American Samoa Pago Youth
16 3MF Ben Tofaeono (2006-03-18) 18 March 2006 (age 19) 3 0 American Samoa Ilaoa and To'omata
17 3MF Pago Isu (2005-11-13) 13 November 2005 (age 19) 3 0 American Samoa Black Roses
20 3MF Puni Samuelu (1996-08-16) 16 August 1996 (age 28) 7 0 American Samoa Pago Youth
7 4FW Petu Pouli (2005-12-18) 18 December 2005 (age 19) 4 0 American Samoa Vaiala Tongan
9 4FW Daniel Lee (2007-02-17)17 February 2007 (aged 16) 3 0 American Samoa Royal Puma
18 4FW Tala Fereti 4 0 American Samoa Ilaoa and To'omata
19 4FW Paneta Loke 0 0 American Samoa Lion Heart

Player Records

Goalkeeper Nicky Salapu has played the most games for American Samoa, with 24 appearances. He was even in the record-breaking game against Australia and the team's first FIFA-recognized win against Tonga. Ramin Ott has scored the most goals for American Samoa, with three goals in 15 games.

Most Games Played

Rank Name Caps Goals Position Career
1 Nicky Salapu 24 0 GK 2001–Present
2 Uasi Heleta 16 0 DF 2004–2019
3 Ramin Ott 15 3 FW 2004–2015
4 Jaiyah Saelua 14 0 DF 2004–2019
5 Travis Pita Sinapati 12 0 DF 2001–2007
6 Roy Ledoux 9 0 DF 2018–present
Justin Mana'o 9 2 MF 2011–present
Natia Natia 9 1 MF 2004–2011
9 Austin Kaleopa 8 0 MF 2019–present
Maika Molesi 8 0 DF 2004–2007
Ryan Samuelu 8 0 DF 2015–2019
Pesamino Victor 8 0 DF 2007–2011

Youngest player to play:

  • Jaiyah Saelua – 15 years and 300 days old when she played against Fiji on May 15, 2004.

Oldest player to play:

  • Nicky Salapu – 43 years and 359 days old when he played against Samoa on September 6, 2024.

Top Goalscorers

Rank Name Goals Caps Average Career
1 Ramin Ott 3 15 0.2 2004–2015
2 Demetrius Beauchamp 2 4 0.25 2015
Ryan Mitchell 2 5 0.4 2015–present
Justin Mana'o 2 9 0.22 2011–present
Shalom Luani 2 8 0.25 2011

First goal ever:

  • Duane Atuelevao – scored on March 12, 2002, against Tonga.

Most goals in one game:

  • Demetrius Beauchamp – scored 2 goals against Samoa on August 31, 2015.

Team Records

  • Biggest win: 3–0 against Wallis and Futuna on August 22, 1983.
  • Heaviest loss: 0–31 against Australia on April 11, 2001.
  • Most wins in a row: 2 wins, achieved in September 2015.
  • Longest time without a loss: 2 matches, achieved in November 2011 and September 2015.
  • Longest time without a win: 37 matches, between August 24, 1983, and September 5, 2011.
  • Longest time without scoring a goal: 7 matches, between August 27, 2007, and September 5, 2011.

Competitive Record

FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

After joining FIFA in 1998, American Samoa started trying to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 2002. They have tried for every World Cup since then but haven't made it past the first stage. Their best attempt was for the 2018 World Cup, where they won two out of three games but just missed out on moving forward due to goal difference.

FIFA World Cup Qualification
Year Host Round Pld W D L F A Pos. Pld W D L F A Source
1930 to 1998 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
2002  Japan
 South Korea		 Did not qualify Group – 5th 4 0 0 4 0 57
2006  Germany First round group – 5th 4 0 0 4 1 34
2010  South Africa First round group – 5th 4 0 0 4 1 38
2014  Brazil First round group – 3rd 3 1 1 1 3 3
2018  Russia First round group – 2nd 3 2 0 1 6 4
2022  Qatar Withdrew Withdrew
2026  Canada
 Mexico
 United States		 Did not qualify First round 1 0 0 1 0 2
2030  Morocco
 Portugal
 Spain
2034  Saudi Arabia
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0/6 19 3 1 15 11 138 —
Notes
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OFC Nations Cup Qualifiers

Before becoming a full member of OFC in 1998, American Samoa played in the 1994 Polynesia Cup. This tournament helped Polynesian teams qualify for the 1996 OFC Nations Cup. This was the first time American Samoa tried to get into OFC's main competition for men's national teams.

The OFC Men's Nations Cup often acts as part of the FIFA World Cup qualification process. So, American Samoa has competed in the qualifiers for both competitions since 1998. They have not yet qualified for either main tournament.

Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup Qualification record
Year Host Round Pld W D L GF GA Pos. Pld W D L GF GA Source
1973  New Zealand Did not enter Did not enter
1980  New Caledonia
1996 N/A Did not qualify 4th 3 0 0 3 3 7
1998  Australia 5th 4 0 0 4 3 23
2000  Tahiti 5th 4 0 0 4 2 29
2002  New Zealand 5th 4 0 0 4 2 29
2004  Australia 5th 4 0 0 4 1 34
2008 N/A 5th 4 0 0 4 1 38
2012  Solomon Islands 3rd 3 1 1 1 3 3
2016  Papua New Guinea 2nd 3 2 0 1 6 4
2024  Fiji
 Vanuatu		 Did not enter Did not enter
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 29 3 1 25 21 167 —
Notes
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Pacific Games

American Samoa first played in the South Pacific Games in 1983. This was the first time a soccer team from the territory competed. They won one game out of three in the group stage, beating Wallis and Futuna 3–0. This was their only win in the competition so far, but it wasn't enough to move on. They also played in 1987, losing all four matches.

They didn't enter the competition again for 20 years. The 2007 event was the last one called the South Pacific Games before it became the Pacific Games. It was also part of the qualification process for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In their third time playing, American Samoa was again eliminated in the group stage, losing all four matches. The same thing happened in the 2011 Pacific Games, where they lost all five games.

In 2015, the Pacific Games was for younger players and also acted as a qualifier for the Olympics, so American Samoa did not take part. Four years later, in 2019, they were again eliminated in the group stage. However, a 1–1 tie with Tuvalu ended a 32-year losing streak in the competition!

Pacific Games
Year Host Round Pld W D L F A Source
1963 to 1979 Did not enter
1983  Western Samoa Group stage 3 1 0 2 6 6
1987  New Caledonia 4 0 0 4 1 42
1991 to 2003 Did not enter
2007  Samoa Group stage 4 0 0 4 1 38
2011  New Caledonia 5 0 0 5 0 26
2015  Papua New Guinea Did not enter
2019  Samoa Group stage 5 0 1 4 2 36
2023  Solomon Islands 4 0 0 4 2 31
Total 25 1 1 23 12 179
Notes
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Historical Kits

2000 Home
2004 Home
2004 Away
2007 Home
2007 Away
2011 Home
2011 Home
2011 Away
2011 Away
2011 Home
2011 Away
2015 Home
2015 Away
2019 Home
2019 Away
2019 Third
2023 Home
2023 Away

Sources:

Images for kids

  • Pago Park Soccer Stadium

    Pago Park Soccer Stadium is the home ground for American Samoa.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Samoa Americana para niños

  • American Samoa national under-23 football team
  • American Samoa national under-20 football team
  • American Samoa national under-17 football team
  • American Samoa women's national football team
  • American Samoa women's national under-17 football team
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