For American Samoa, a Win Ignites a World Cup Dream

The American Somoa soccer team after its first victory since starting international play in 1994.
By JAMES MONTAGUE
Published: November 23, 2011

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/24/sports/soccer/american-samoa-winless-and-ranked-last-earns-victory-in-a-world-cup-qualifier.html?_r=1

APIA, Samoa — American Samoa had played 30 men's soccer matches since starting international play in 1994. It had lost all 30, by a combined score of 229-12, and was tied for last in the FIFA world rankings.

On Tuesday, the tiny, unincorporated island territory in the South Pacific finally broke through, defeating Tonga, 2-1, in a prequalifying match for the 2014 World Cup.

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The American Samoa defense was bolstered by Johnny Saelua, who is believed to be the first transgender athlete to compete in a World Cup qualifying match. Saelua is part of the fa'afafine, biological males who identify as a third sex that is widely accepted in Polynesian culture.

Finally making history for all the right reasons
Michael Cockerill
November 26, 2011

A decade after their record 31-0 hammering by the Socceroos, American Samoa have found that winning feeling, writes Michael Cockerill.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/football/finally-making-history-for-all-the-right-reasons-20111125-1nz0s.html

HISTORY is being made in Samoa, and Johnny Saelua can't hide his - or is that her? - excitement. Saelua is a defender for nearby American Samoa, but is also part of the fa'afafine, biological males who identify as a third sex that is widely accepted in Polynesian culture. Saelua this week became the first transgender athlete to participate in a World Cup match.

''When I go out into the game, I put aside the fact that I'm a girl, or a boy, or whatever, and just concentrate on representing my country,'' Saelua said moments after the full-time whistle sounded in Apia yesterday. ''In my country, we're very open-minded about transgender; we can do whatever we want, play whatever sport we want. There is no discrimination. I've played American football, but now I'm playing soccer because people told me I was good at it. And now we're making history. I'm so proud of the team, it's very exciting.''