Soccer history unfolded right here in Northwest Arkansas as the Outrigger Challenge Cup brought FIFA-sanctioned international matches to Springdale. Kevin Tello, Ozark United FC MLS Next Technical Director, joins host Wes Harris to break down this landmark event that put our region on the global soccer map.

The tournament featured the senior men’s national teams of Turks and Caicos and the US Virgin Islands, along with the Marshall Islands and Ozark United FC’s U19 academy team, which stepped in as a last-minute addition. What followed was nothing short of extraordinary – under-19 academy players jumping out to 2–0 leads against established FIFA nations, the Marshall Islands competing in their first-ever international fixtures, and a celebration of soccer that united our diverse community.

Kevin provides an insider's perspective on what it meant for our U19 players to face professional athletes in high-stakes competition. These weren't exhibition matches – the intensity was real, with bone-crunching tackles, heated exchanges, and the kind of pressure most players don't experience until college or beyond. The experience proved invaluable as our young athletes faced the realities of international competition, learning lessons about game management and mental fortitude that will serve them for years to come.

The conversation shifts to Ozark United FC's exciting MLS Next program, which has drawn incredible talent from across the region. With approximately 100 players trying out for each age group and final rosters representing 16 different clubs and 12 high schools, the academy truly unites Northwest Arkansas soccer. Kevin explains the upcoming season structure, which begins September 6th with home matches in Siloam Springs, and outlines the developmental philosophy guiding each age group.

Most importantly, Kevin articulates the mission driving everything Ozark United FC does – creating pathways, providing opportunities, and elevating the game in our region. Whether players aspire to join MLS academies, earn college scholarships, or simply become the best they can be, Ozark United FC is building structures that make these dreams accessible right here at home.

Join us for this riveting conversation about soccer's past, present, and future in Northwest Arkansas. Then come experience it yourself at our upcoming MLS Next matches starting this September!

More About this Episode

International Soccer Comes to Northwest Arkansas: What the Outrigger Cup Means for the Game and Our Community

It’s not every day that a city like Springdale, Arkansas, plays host to an international soccer tournament. But last week, that’s exactly what happened, and it might just mark a turning point in how we see soccer in our region.

The Outrigger Challenge Cup, hosted in Springdale, wasn’t just another event. It was a groundbreaking moment for international soccer, youth development, and cultural celebration. The tournament featured the senior men's national teams from the Marshall Islands, Turks and Caicos, and the US Virgin Islands, as well as a standout showing from our own Ozark United FC U19s.

This wasn’t a novelty act. These were FIFA-recognized national teams, with players who play professionally. And yet here they were, in our own backyard, playing not just for pride but for history.

A Historic Debut for the Marshall Islands

For the Marshall Islands, this was more than a tournament; it was their first-ever 11v11 international soccer match. This team, many of whom had never played full-field matches before, represented not just a country, but a global Marshallese diaspora. Several players came from futsal backgrounds. Some had never played official 11-a-side matches in their lives. And yet, they showed up and scored goals, competed hard, and refused to be intimidated.

It was a moment that resonated far beyond Springdale. Influential voices in the soccer world, like Men in Blazers, picked up the story, and major influencers on social media celebrated what was happening. And why not? There are very few “firsts” left in international football. This was one of them. And it happened here.

A Unique Opportunity for Our U19s

When Guam had to pull out of the tournament late in the planning process, Ozark United’s U19 team stepped up to fill the gap. For many of these players, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: competing against senior men’s national teams made up of seasoned, often professional players.

This wasn’t youth soccer as usual.

The U19s played three matches:

  • A closed-door scrimmage with the Marshall Islands
  • An intense game against Turks and Caicos
  • A competitive game against the US Virgin Islands

This was also a teaching moment. Against older, more experienced opponents, the U19s learned hard lessons about game management, composure under pressure, and the importance of physical resilience. Experiences like these, competing against full senior national teams, are rare for players at the high school level. It's the kind of exposure that typically doesn’t come until the college years, making this an invaluable step in their development.

Lessons Beyond the Scoreline

The tournament wasn’t just about results; it was about growth. The U19s didn’t just play games. They competed with intensity, absorbed lessons in maturity, and saw what it truly takes to play at the next level.

In both matches, they were physically tested. “There were big boy challenges,” as Tello put it, and “big boy banter.” They stood toe-to-toe with players who were more experienced and often more physical. In the game against the USVI, which was eventually lost 4-2, there were intense challenges, emotional confrontations, and testy moments, including a controversial non-call that could have changed the match.

But this is soccer at the senior level. It’s not just about skill, it’s about grit, mental toughness, and finding composure in chaos. Those are qualities you can’t coach in a classroom. You have to live them on the pitch.

A Massive Moment for the Marshallese Community

To say this tournament meant something to the Marshallese community in Northwest Arkansas would be an understatement. The pride, the support, and the cultural celebration were palpable. Fans came not just from across NWA, but from around the world to witness their national team’s debut.

Their second match, in particular, was historic: they scored their first goals ever in official international play. One from open play, one from a penalty. They were real, earned goals, not handed to them. This wasn’t charity. It was a competition.

Nearly half of the Marshall Islands team had never played an official 11v11 match before. Many came from futsal backgrounds. And yet, they stepped onto the pitch, held their own against FIFA-recognized national teams, and made history by scoring their country’s first international goals.

Building the Future: MLS Next in Northwest Arkansas

This tournament was more than just a week of games. It was a catalyst for a statement of what’s possible here in Northwest Arkansas. And it comes at the perfect time, as OZFC’s MLS Next Academy program launches into its first season.

Tryouts earlier this year saw massive turnout, with about 100 players per age group from over five states and 24+ clubs trying out. Players came from rec leagues, elite clubs, and even without any formal club experience at all and many made rosters. The academy now fields teams from U13 to U19, with representation from over a dozen high schools.

Training has already begun, with most teams engaging in intense summer sessions. And the talent is there.

“We have some ballers in Northwest Arkansas that are techie, that are athletic, that understand the game at a high level,” Tello said. “Now it's been super cool to see them all on the same team... competing against each other.”

MLS Next is divided into two new tiers this year: Homegrown Division and Academy Division, which is where OZFC will compete. That means high-level competition without excessive travel. 50% of games are home fixtures, with opponents from Tulsa, OKC, Dallas, Houston, Austin, and Baton Rouge. First games are scheduled to kick off on September 6 in Siloam Springs!

Development Over Results, For Now

While the older academy teams (U17s and U19s) are aiming to compete and win, the focus for younger groups is development and exposure. The goal is to prepare players for college, professional pathways, and even MLS academies, whatever their next step might be.

MLS Next is also offering exposure opportunities through scouting, showcases, and potential MLS academy combines, giving players a real chance to be seen at the national level.

Tello emphasized that there's no single route to success in soccer. His focus, and the club’s,  is on building a pathway and preparing players for whatever opportunity lies ahead, whether that’s college, another academy, or a professional environment.

A Unified Community Behind the Mission

Perhaps the most heartening part of the Outrigger Cup and the MLS Next rollout is the unified support behind the scenes. During the tournament, OZFC’s entire coaching staff rallied seven to nine coaches on the bench, helping however they could. It wasn’t their job. It was their mission.

If the Outrigger Cup is any indication, Northwest Arkansas is ready not just for professional soccer but to become a hub for the sport. The community has shown up. The players have stepped up. And with the foundation laid by OZFC, the only direction is forward.

For those who witnessed it, the message was clear: this wasn’t just a special week, it’s the start of something bigger.

Stay tuned. We’re just getting started.