With the match on the line, Alfa Nero stepped up and slotted home Rovers SC’s final penalty kick, securing the win over New Vibes SC in the inaugural USVI Soccer Federation FA Shield Final hosted at Ivanna Eudora Kean High School in St. Thomas on Sunday, May 18.
New Vibes opened the match strong, with Naqwan Henry securing the first goal in the 29th minute. James-Carlos Veard added a second goal early in the second half, putting the St. Thomas team in control with a commanding 2-0 lead at the 52-minute mark. Rovers responded shortly after with Majd Alghoussaini finding the back of the net in the 58th minute, shifting the momentum.
Highly decorated New Vibes veteran, Brian Charlery, and avid USVI soccer supporter, Nyron Morris, kept the banter alive in the stands, engaging Rovers fans in lighthearted debates over which team scored the most highlight-worthy goals and whose side the referees were taking. Charlery’s tone sharpened as he yelled to New Vibes captain, Jordan Atemazem, “Tell your team to pass the ball!” Morris echoed Charlery’s sentiment, shouting, “Drop the ball!” with each lengthy dribble and wild shot by New Vibes.
St. Croix’s undefeated Rovers continued to apply pressure in a highly physical second half, and Alfred Harris clinched a game-tying goal just before the end of the match. The stands erupted as Harris’ shot met the back of the net—an equalizer that felt less like luck and more like sheer will.
Deadlocked at 2-2 with no extra time scheduled, the crowd braced for the nerve-wracking drama of a penalty shootout. Rovers’ first kick was an unfortunate miss. Atemazem floated New Vibes’ first attempt straight past the goalkeeper. Just as New Vibes looked poised to close the deal, their rhythm faltered. Their second and third attempts clanged off the goalpost. Rovers seized the opportunity to edge out their competitor, nailing their four remaining kicks to take home the trophy with a 4-2 win.
When asked how it felt to seal the victory for his team, Nero responded, “It felt good to take the last kick of the game, but I’m more proud of the fight the team put out.” His calm under pressure was matched only by the grit shown by his teammates across the 90-plus minutes of play. Coach Terrance “Terry” Jones reminded the squad in their postgame huddle that this win was only the beginning. “It’s all of us,” he said. “If we do not have that camaraderie, we start to defeat ourselves. We won, but I’m not satisfied. We have a lot of things we can do better. We have to make that commitment.”
On the other side, Atemazem remained composed despite New Vibes’ heartbreak. “We have a lot of new players; we just have to work together,” he said. “It was a tough loss, but we will come back stronger and win everything else.” His statement reflected a team still finding its rhythm, yet fully aware of both its legacy and its potential.
From the crowd, Marco Emile—local soccer enthusiast and captain of Raymix FC—watched the match unfold with admiration. “I saw two teams fighting hard to come together. Rovers pulled it off first,” he said. “I love the competition, though. I want more people in the stands with me. Let’s come back and do it bigger next time.”
As fans trickled out of the bleachers and players posed for photos on the field, one thing was clear: this wasn’t just a final—it was a foundation. The FA Shield introduces a higher level of competitive play for local talent and a spark for teams and supporters alike to continue empowering the game.
