Team USA’s dominance of flag football has been dealt a massive blow just two years out from the sport’s Olympic debut.
American Samoa triumphed 38-32 in a dramatic encounter at the flag football World Championships in Dusseldorf, Germany, on Friday.
Tua Tagovailoa’s younger brother Taulia put the team on his back with five passing touchdowns.
It was a seismic win for a tiny island nation with just 45,000 inhabitants.
The last time the U.S. men lost a competitive match was against Austria in the final of the 2012 World Championships. A run of undefeated titles in 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021 and 2024 followed.
The U.S. beat Israel 50-38 on Thursday and will advance to the quarterfinals with victory over Australia in its last group game later on Friday.
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With a handful of NFL stars keen to take the field in two years, the flag specialists will need to put on a show to defend their jobs.
It was better news for the women with a 3-0 start to easily qualify.
Samoa, meanwhile, will hope to make a strong run and qualify for LA 2028.
Tua Tagovailoa gets preseason start vs Dolphins
Tagovailoa looked like a clone of his brother when Mike McDaniel’s Miami Dolphins were the most explosive offense in football from 2022-23.
He completed 29 of 36 passes for 213 yards and five touchdowns.
Taulia spent a year at Alabama in 2019 as a freshman reserve behind starter Tua and Mac Jones.
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He spent the rest of his college career at Maryland before going undrafted in 2024. Spells in Canada, Europe, indoor football and the UFL followed, as well as his exploits for American Samoa.
Tua has spoken proudly about his Polynesian roots and thanks to Taulia, both brothers are now flying the flag for their ancestors.
The elder sibling is fighting Michael Penix Jr. to be named Atlanta Falcons QB1 after his spell in Florida went downhill.
Tua will start the preseason opener against the Denver Broncos and is apparently settling well in the new offense.
“He’s getting better every day,” Falcons quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt said. “I think he’s becoming more comfortable with the system and the play calls and protection adjustments and everything.
“It’s always tough coming into a new system. So, [he’s] picking that up. Missing the first part of camp set him back just a little bit, but really the last three or four days he’s really come on.”
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