The U-20 Men’s National Team, the Dashing Eagles, departed for Managua to compete in the 2026 CONCACAF U-20 Championship Qualifiers, the U.S. Virgin Islands Soccer Federation said.
The U.S. Virgin Islands will open its campaign against Martinique on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Estadio Miguel Chocorrón Buitrago in Managua. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. AST. Local streaming availability will vary; fans are encouraged to check their local cable listings for broadcast details.
This year’s squad marks an important milestone for the program, as Head Coach Emil Berggreen makes his official debut leading the U-20 Dashing Eagles in CONCACAF competition.
Competing against some of the Confederation’s top programs, the Dashing Eagles will look to embody the Federation’s mission to develop, inspire, and elevate the game throughout the territory. The team enters the competition determined to showcase the growth of the sport in the U.S. Virgin Islands and to represent the Territory with pride and resilience on the regional stage, federation officials said.
When asked what it means to guide the team into his first official CONCACAF tournament, Coach Berggreen shared:
“I am proud to lead the team alongside the rest of our staff. The CONCACAF competition is an opportunity to show our potential and to show that we carry ourselves with pride when we represent the USVI.”
Reflecting on the lessons he hopes his players will take from competing on this stage, regardless of results, Berggreen emphasized character and work ethic:
“We want to show grit and character. We will face players who are better than us right now, but we want to send the signal that we are prepared to outwork our opponents in order to overtake them in the future. The important lesson is that if you want to become better than someone who is better than you, you have to outwork him.”
The USVISF calls on all supporters at home and abroad to rally behind the Dashing Eagles as they represent the U.S. Virgin Islands with determination and national pride. The Federation remains committed to building pathways for young athletes and strengthening the foundation of the sport across the territory.
