The Marshall Islands played the US Virgin Islands Thursday night at the Jarell Williams Bulldog stadium. Organized by the Marshall Islands Soccer Federation, the 2025 Outrigger Challenge Cup hosted in Springdale, Arkansas from 13 to 16 August showcase ls four teams: the Marshall Islands, Ozarks United, US Virgin Islands, and Turks and Caicos Islands. Even though the MarshallIslands lost 0-4, their goalie blocked countless shots. The last goal to get through was tragic, though, with both the goalie and a player on the ground having tried to block the shot.

Chikin Melele talked to Marshall Islands national soccer team captain, Seth Sidle, on Friday at the youth soccer clinic at Tysons Park. We also talked to Gabino Gallegos Peter who played last year also in Majuro. And, we talked to Springdale local Matt John (also of MARK Harmony) about his lifelong love of soccer.

Highlights from the Turks and Caicos – RMI match on Saturday August 19. It was a hot afternoon and the bleachers were too hot for Chikin Melele’s little baby videographer. But, we were there for the first goal scored by Josiah Blanton. You would have thought the bleachers were packed with people from all the cheering! The team named Aaron Aniston-Brokken player of the match for his penalty shot! Juon ri Majol eo ej iukkure ñan Clarke College ilo Washington. The players and their families were so wonderful, and we had the best time even if we had to watch the second half of the game online.