Youth footballers from the U.S. Virgin Islands are turning heads at the 2025 Target USA Cup in Minnesota, one of the largest international youth soccer tournaments in the world. With teams from Helenites SC and Massey SA competing in three divisions, the territory is making its presence known in a powerful way.
This year, St. Croix’s Helenites sent U12 and U17 boys’ teams, while St. Thomas’s Massey SA is fielding a U14 boys’ team — all competing with one shared mission: to grow the game and expand opportunities for Virgin Islands athletes on the global stage.
Hosted annually at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota, the Target USA Cup is the largest youth soccer tournament in North America. This year’s event has drawn more than 1,100 teams from 20 countries, creating a vibrant environment for players to experience top-level competition, international exposure, and cultural exchange.
The tournament includes Opening Ceremonies modeled after the Olympics, championship brackets, and the opportunity for athletes to interact with scouts and coaches from around the world.
For clubs like Helenites and Massey SA, this stage represents far more than wins – it’s about visibility, experience, and legacy-building.
The USA Cup is a massive step up in competition, and the players are meeting the moment with confidence. Helenites’ U17 captain Adrian Abraham summed it up best:
“The team’s feeling confident. We have a shot at the trophy if we don’t overthink our mistakes and play to the best of our ability.”
The younger players have already had a weekend full of growth and excitement. Helenites’ U12 team played four matches in their first tournament bracket – tying their opener, winning the next two convincingly, and falling just short in the quarterfinals.
“Our U12 Team is doing okay so far. 4 games played. Tied the first match 2-2, won the second 2-0, third match was a 5-1 win but then we lost in the quarterfinals 1-0. They are very enthusiastic about the next tournament,” said Raejae Joseph, Club President.
Joseph, who played in the tournament himself over a decade ago, understands the lasting impact a week like this can have on a young athlete’s life:
“I chose the USA Cup because I competed in it as a player back in 2012 and it was an unforgettable experience. I wanted to give our boys and girls that same feeling which will motivate them to keep striving for greatness both on and off the soccer field. This is our 2nd year at the USA Cup.”
For some players, this opportunity has already expanded their world. Two Helenites SC athletes are competing as guest players with new squads during the tournament: Areesa St. Croix will be playing in the U15 Girls Category with a team from Norway, and Sarai Murphy will play in the U12 Girls Category with a team from Minnesota.
Head Coach Dale Richards of Massey SA sees this tournament as a major step in a long-term vision — what he calls “carrying the U.S. Virgin Islands to the world.”
Last year, Massey SA and Helenites SC teamed up for their first USA Cup appearance and shocked the field when their U16 boys team won their entire division.
“I’m pretty excited about what we’re doing,” Richards said, humbly. “We just want to build a program where they can excel.”
Joseph shares that vision: “Overall I hope the players see this as an avenue that can take them all across the world, doing what they love to do and also as a motivator to dream big because anything is possible.”
As these young athletes take on international competition, they continually prove that players from small islands belong on the world’s biggest stages.
And this is only the beginning.
Check out the competition schedules and standings here: Helenites U12, Helenites U17, Massey U14.
St. Croix Source
Local news, Local sports
