American Samoa were one of three teams that finished this week’s four-nation event in Tonga tied on points, only for Samoa to edge ahead by a single goal with Cook Islands in third.
While he didn’t take the field in any of the three matches, Salapu remains an integral and popular member of the American Samoa squad. Now 34, Salapu is the only survivor from the infamous 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with his career now stretching over four campaigns.
This time around American Samoa secured two wins for the first time, more than doubling their all-time cumulative goal tally. And the easy-going Salapu is better placed than anyone to judge the improvement in the team over recent years.
“We could have won this,” he said with a sigh after Friday’s final match. “But In four years we know that we can beat anyone. We have players that really know how to play real football now, and play the game really well, and I respect and am thankful to the players that have brought this to American Samoa.
“We will get there. We will keep looking for American Samoa guys in different parts of the world. In the future we will keep improving and improving. You can see the improvement in everyone now. I especially give thanks to the boys from the island, because it is not the biggest sport there.”
On a personal level, Salapu has spent the past years playing on the field for a variety of teams in Seattle where he has lived for several years. Despite the advancing years, Salapu, who looks as fit as ever, intends to keep playing internationally saying his aim is to win back the No. 1 shirt claimed by Pita Valevalu.
“I will be going back now to Seattle, and I won’t play on the field,” he said. “I will fight for my spot (in the national team). I think probably one more World Cup cycle for me, and I think it will be a second round qualification.”

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