CONCACAF President Montagliani LIVE on Islandstats.com
IslandStats.com
Football fans across Bermuda and the CONCACAF region are in for an insightful morning as the confederation's President, Victor Montagliani, is scheduled to appear LIVE on Islandstats.com at 10 am today.
The Canadian football executive will be discussing a range of key topics, including the significant improvements and growth witnessed within CONCACAF over the past five years under his leadership. Montagliani, who also holds the prestigious position of Vice President on the FIFA Council, is expected to provide a comprehensive overview of the progress made in developing football across North and Central America and the Caribbean.
A major point of discussion will undoubtedly be the preparations and outlook for the region as it gears up to co-host the prestigious FIFA Men's World Cup in 2026. With the tournament just a year away, Montagliani's insights into the logistical planning, infrastructure developments, and overall readiness of the host nations will be keenly anticipated.
Montagliani's journey in football administration is well-documented. He was elected as President of the Canadian Soccer Association in May 2012 before announcing his candidacy for the CONCACAF presidency in February 2016. In a closely watched election on May 12th, 2016, Montagliani triumphed over Bermuda's own Larry Mussenden to take the helm of the confederation.
Looking further ahead, Montagliani is also expected to touch upon FIFA's recent announcement at the 2025 UEFA Congress, confirming that the United States and their CONCACAF partners are the sole bidders to host the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2031. This presents a significant opportunity for the region to further elevate the women's game on the global stage.
Bermudian football fans will have a particular interest in hearing Montagliani's perspective, given the island's connection through Larry Mussenden's previous presidential bid and the ongoing development of football within the nation under the CONCACAF umbrella.
Tune in to Islandstats.com at 10 am this morning for what promises to be a compelling and informative live interview with CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani.
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Fishel's Chelsea Make History with Invincible WSL Season
IslandStats.com
Mia Fishel and her Chelsea teammates have etched their names into Women's Super League (WSL) history, becoming the first side to navigate a 22-game league season without tasting defeat. The newly crowned champions capped off their remarkable campaign with a victory over Liverpool, sparking jubilant scenes in West London.
While Fishel remained an unused substitute for the final match, she made her way back into the team after being out through injury to add unwavering dominance for Emma Hayes' side. Their triumph means they join an elite club of invincible WSL teams, following in the footsteps of Arsenal (2012), Manchester City (2016), and Chelsea themselves (2017-18). However, Sonia Bompastor's charges have now set a new benchmark by achieving this feat over a longer, 22-game season.
The final hurdle in their unbeaten journey came against a resilient Liverpool side at Stamford Bridge. The match was a tight affair, with little to separate the two teams until Aggie Beever-Jones struck a dramatic late winner to secure all three points for Chelsea and ignite the celebrations.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the WSL, former Bermuda international Shaun Goater, now a strikers' coach at Aston Villa, watched on as his side continued their impressive end to the season with a comfortable victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.
Ebony Salmon put Villa in the driving seat with a stunning solo effort. Receiving the ball near the halfway line from Chasity Grant, Salmon embarked on a mazy dribble through the Brighton defence before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
Rachel Daly doubled Villa's advantage just before the interval, reacting quickest to poke home from a Grant cross delivered from the byline. Maz Pacheco added a third in the second half, firing home a first-time shot from inside the box to seal the victory. A late consolation goal from Nikita Parris was all Brighton could muster.
The 3-1 victory for Aston Villa marks their fifth consecutive win, a remarkable run of form that sees them climb to an impressive fifth place in the final WSL standings. For Goater, witnessing his team's strong finish to the season will be a source of pride.
However, the spotlight firmly remains on Mia Fishel and her Chelsea teammates, who have written a new chapter in WSL history with their unprecedented invincible season. Their achievement is a testament to their consistent excellence, resilience, and unwavering desire to win, solidifying their status as the dominant force in English women's football.
Friday, May 09, 2025
Parfitt & Haka Heartbreak in Thrilling Derby Defeat
IslandStats.com
Djair Parfitt was in the thick of the action as FC Haka and rivals Ilves served up a pulsating first Pirkanmaa derby of the season, a five-goal thriller played out under the Friday night lights at Tammela Stadium. In a contest brimming with attacking intent, it was Ilves who ultimately snatched bragging rights, scoring a dramatic late winner to secure a 3-2 victory after Haka had bravely fought back from a two-goal deficit.
The atmosphere was electric from the outset, as is customary when these two fierce rivals from the Pirkanmaa region lock horns. Ilves drew first blood, establishing a commanding 2-0 lead that left Parfitt and his Haka teammates with a mountain to climb.
However, showing resilience and determination, Haka mounted a spirited comeback. Inspired by the vocal travelling support, they clawed their way back into the match, scoring twice in quick succession to level the scoreline at 2-2. The momentum had seemingly swung in Haka's favour, and hopes were high for a famous derby turnaround.
But the drama wasn't over. Just as Haka looked poised to potentially snatch a winner themselves, Ilves delivered a cruel blow in the dying moments of the game. A late strike from the home side sent the Tammela Stadium into raptures and left Parfitt and his Haka colleagues crestfallen.
Despite the valiant fightback and the sheer entertainment on offer, the 3-2 defeat means Ilves take the first step towards establishing dominance in this season's Pirkanmaa derbies. For Parfitt and FC Haka, the loss will be a bitter pill to swallow, particularly after their spirited comeback. However, the nature of the contest suggests that future encounters between these two sides will be just as fiercely contested and captivating for fans across Finland and beyond. Parfitt will be eager for his side to learn from this setback and come out on top in the next chapter of this compelling rivalry.
Thursday, May 08, 2025
Wells & Bristol City Face Play-Off Mountain After Defeat
IslandStats.com
Nahki Wells and his Bristol City teammates endured a difficult night at Ashton Gate, falling to a 3-0 defeat against Sheffield United in the first leg of their Championship Play-Off Semi-Final. The Robins now face a significant challenge as they look to overturn the deficit in the second leg at Bramall Lane.
The complexion of the game shifted dramatically just before the half-time whistle. Defender Rob Dickie was shown a straight red card for a foul on Kieffer Moore inside the penalty area, leaving Bristol City with ten men and conceding a crucial penalty to the Blades. Harrison Burrows stepped up and calmly converted from the spot, giving Sheffield United the lead heading into the break.
Despite a resolute effort in the second half, Liam Manning's side struggled to contain the Blades. Sheffield United's substitutes proved influential, with Andre Brooks and Callum O’Hare both finding the back of the net later in the game, extending the visitors' advantage to a commanding 3-0.
Now facing an uphill battle, Wells and Bristol City will travel to Bramall Lane for the second leg on Monday, May 12th, with a daunting three-goal deficit to overcome if they are to keep their promotion dreams alive. The task ahead is significant, but the Robins will need to summon a monumental effort in front of the Sheffield United faithful.
Wednesday, May 07, 2025
Parfitt Scores & Smith's Rhode Island out of US Open Cup
IslandStats.com
A tale of two Bermudian footballing stories unfolded on the European and North American stages. While Djair Parfitt celebrated a goal and a comfortable cup victory with his FC Haka teammates in Finland, Khano Smith's journey in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with Rhode Island FC came to a heartbreaking end.
Parfitt on Target in Finnish Cup Rout
Djair Parfitt was on the scoresheet as his FC Haka side emphatically progressed to the next round of the Finnish Cup with a dominant 4-0 away victory over Huima/Urho. Haka, who fielded a significantly altered lineup, controlled the match from the outset.
The breakthrough came in the 17th minute, and it was the Bermudian international Parfitt who opened the scoring. Following an Elías Romero corner kick into the back post area, Nikolas Talo headed the ball down into a dangerous position in front of the goal, and Parfitt was well-placed to direct it into the net, giving Haka a deserved lead.
The experienced Kalle Multanen then took centre stage, effectively deciding the tie before half-time with a clinical hat-trick. His three goals left the home side with a mountain to climb, and ultimately, no way back into the contest, ensuring Parfitt and FC Haka booked their place in the next round against Äänekoski in commanding fashion.
Smith's Cup Run Ends in Late Heartbreak
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Khano Smith's Rhode Island FC saw their promising run in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup cruelly ended by Major League Soccer side New England Revolution. Despite a resilient second-half performance, Rhode Island fell to a gut-wrenching 2-1 defeat, conceding a late winner.
Playing at their home ground, Centreville Bank Stadium, Rhode Island showed great spirit after going behind. They found an equaliser early in the second half when Maxi Rodriguez scored the club's first-ever goal at the stadium, bringing the vocal home crowd to life.
However, despite their determined efforts to force extra time, the Revolution had the final say. With just two minutes of regulation time remaining, the MLS outfit struck the decisive blow, snatching a 2-1 victory and bringing Smith's Rhode Island FC's cup journey to a disappointing conclusion. While the result will sting, Smith can take pride in leading his side to a competitive showing against top-tier opposition.
