American Samoa's Women's Football Team: From Underdogs to Dark Horses in World Cup Qualifiers
The American Samoa women's national football team is scripting a remarkable fairytale in World Cup qualifying, evolving from a team that suffered a 21-0 defeat in 1998 to a formidable dark horse in the current campaign. Captain Alma Mana'o reflects on this incredible journey, highlighting a transformation that has stunned the football world.
A Family-Driven Culture and Unlikely Beginnings
With a population of just over 45,000, American Samoa entered the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) World Cup qualification tournament as the lowest-ranked team globally at 153rd. The island's entire population wouldn't fill the smallest stadium for next year's FIFA event, underscoring their underdog status. However, the team's strength lies in its deep-rooted family culture.
"Family is above all," says Mana'o, emphasizing how multiple sets of sisters play together, fostering unity and accountability. The Mana'o family itself holds a record for the most family members in FIFA events, with Alma joking, "If we can't win, we're going to have the most kids!" This familial bond has become a cornerstone of their success, proving that the family business can indeed yield triumphs on the pitch.
Stunning Upsets and Defying Expectations
Entering the qualifiers with no expectations, American Samoa faced Tonga, the highest-ranked side, in November. Eighteen-year-old Cassidy Drago made history by scoring the nation's first Women's World Cup qualifying goal just before half-time, adding a second soon after to secure a 3-0 victory. They followed this with another upset, defeating Cook Islands in early December.
"Us going to the second round surprised everyone," Mana'o recalls with a grin. But the shocks didn't end there. In the second round, they confronted Solomon Islands, ranked 80 places higher and recent Pacific Nations Cup champions, who had beaten them 7-1 in Olympic qualifying. Against all odds, American Samoa triumphed 1-0, one of the greatest shocks in Women's World Cup qualifying history. A subsequent 1-0 win over neighboring Samoa last month sealed their place in the final OFC qualifying round, completing what Mana'o describes as the journey "from underdog to dark horse."
Leadership and Future Prospects
Under the management of Amanda Cromwell, a 1996 US Olympic gold medallist, American Samoa has won four of their last five games. Mana'o credits Cromwell's impact as pivotal, noting her efforts in organizing the team, implementing meal plans, and ensuring proper training. "This doesn't happen without her," Mana'o states, expressing confidence that "this new standard will be the standard" moving forward.
Mana'o, who debuted at age 15 in 2011 with an 8-0 defeat, contrasts her early struggles with the positive experiences of younger players like 14-year-olds Mia Toeaina and Naiyah Anaiyah Ve'e. Reflecting on the team's progress, she smiles, "Fifteen-year-old-me is ecstatic." As they prepare to face Papua New Guinea in Auckland, where they played their first women's international match 28 years ago, American Samoa carries hope and momentum, ready to continue their inspiring story in the final round of qualifiers.
