The scoreboard may read Grenada 4, U.S. Virgin Islands 1, but the numbers tell only a fraction of the story. On Friday night at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium, the Dashing Eagles walked into a hostile environment to face a Grenadian side riding a five-match winning streak and sitting significantly higher in the FIFA rankings. What could have been a routine home victory for the Spice Boys instead became a showcase of a USVI program growing in confidence, identity, and competitive fire. And the world is starting to notice.
A Second-Half Surge That Signaled Who the USVI Is Becoming
After a rocky opening 45 minutes that saw Grenada’s pace and physicality on full display, the Dashing Eagles regrouped, recalibrated, and responded with a second half that reflected everything Coach Terrance “Terry” Jones Sr. has been building behind the scenes.
USVI allowed just one goal after the break, showing discipline, structure, and a refusal to fold, while creating more attacking sequences and controlling possession in stretches of the match. The reward came through Jannick Liburd, who buried the Dashing Eagles’ lone goal with the kind of clinical finish that signals a player rising in confidence and a team beginning to trust its attacking instincts.
For a squad that not long ago struggled to find consistency in the final third, Friday’s performance was another step forward.
Riding Momentum From Outrigger Cup Glory
This friendly wasn’t played in a vacuum. The USVI arrived in Grenada with the wind at their backs after lifting the 2025 Outrigger Cup in Arkansas, their first major tournament triumph in years. Winning that competition wasn’t just a trophy, it was validation that the group is learning how to win, how to travel, and how to adapt to pressure.
Facing Grenada was a different mountain to climb, but the mentality carried over.
The Dashing Eagles didn’t play like underdogs. They played like a team testing itself, measuring its progress, and refusing to shy away from elite competition.
The Rise of “ONE VI” — A Culture Taking Shape
Perhaps the most important storyline isn’t tactical or statistical, it’s cultural.
Coach Terry Jones has coined a simple mantra: “ONE VI.” But inside the locker room, it’s more than a slogan. It represents togetherness, accountability, pride, and the belief that the islands can compete with anyone in the region when pulling in one direction.
And that mentality is becoming visible on the pitch.
Players communicate more. They cover for each other. They fight for every ball until the final whistle. Even in a match where Grenada’s firepower was evident, the USVI never looked disjointed or overwhelmed, a sign of a side maturing beyond its years.
St. Croix Source
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