American Samoa have won their very first FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier match, beating Tonga 3-0 at the CIFA Academy in Rarotonga, to kickstart the OFC qualifying process for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ in Brazil.
The result is 27 years in the making since American Samoa competed in their first qualifying campaign for the global finals in 1998, and secures their place in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 OFC Round One qualifying final against either Tahiti or the Cook Islands.
Cassidy Pamela Drago guided her nation to history, scoring two goals in a contest that American Samoa dictated from the opening whistle.
Composed mainly of American based players, American Samoa imposed themselves early, despite their lack of international action in 2025.
They continued to play on the front foot and create chances for the majority of the first half, keeping Tongan goalkeeper Carollyne Fotu busy. Alayna Fuamatu-Ma’afala forced a save from the shot-stopper whilst in a one-on-one position, before Cassidy Pamela Drago had a header cleared off the line from a corner delivery.
After a mountain of possession and attacking opportunities, the American Samoan breakthrough eventually came in the third minute of first half stoppage time. Mattyn Summers burst into space down the right wing, before finding Drago with a low cross into the box, who found the top of the net on her right foot.
Drago’s goal not only gave American Samoa the lead, but also created history, scoring her nation’s first-ever goal in a FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier.
Despite arriving in the Cook Islands as the highest ranked side of the four nations competing in the first stage of the qualifiers, Tonga struggled to get a foothold. Their best chance of the first half came moments after conceding, Loma McNeese rounding the keeper but having her effort cleared off the line by Anaiyah Tu’ua.
Kilifi Uele made two changes at half-time, as the Mataliki upped the tempo in search of a response in the second half. A corner delivery to the back post for captain Daviana Vaka forced a save from Musuai Isaia in goal.
Coached by former USA international and 1996 Olympic Games gold medalist Amanda Cromwell, American Samoa stifled the Tongan threat and continued to control the game, with Summers and Patea remaining constant threats down either flank.
The second goal arrived in the 76th minute, Drago driving forward and picking out the bottom-left corner with a clinical solo finish on her right foot from the top of the box, to double American Samoa’s lead and extinguish Tonga’s qualifying hopes at the first hurdle.
The third and final goal came in the fifth minute of injury-time, Aaliyah Tu’ua latching onto a pass in-behind the Tongan defence from a pass by Patea to score.
American Samoa now progress to the final of FIFA Women’s World Cup OFC Round One qualifying, against either the Cook Islands or Tahiti on Monday NZT. Meanwhile, Tonga have experienced the cutthroat nature of the qualifying process and suffered an early elimination. They will remain in Rarotonga to play an international friendly against the loser of the second semi-final prior to the Round One final.
Tonga: 0
American Samoa: 3 (Cassidy Pamela DRAGO 45+3’, 76′, Aaliyah TU’UA 90+5′)
HT: 0-1
Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek