For the first time in 14 years, Team USA has lost a competitive flag football match.

American Samoa defeated the United States 38-32 on Friday, Aug. 14, at the 2026 World Flag tournament in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Taulia Tagovailoa – the younger brother of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa – helped catalyze American Samoa to the victory. He threw for 213 yards and five touchdowns, including a touchdown strike with just over a minute left that made the contest a two-score affair and put it out of reach for the Americans.

Before Friday’s defeat, Team USA last lost to Austria at the 2012 World Championships. Now, the squad will look to restart its winning streak as it gears up for flag football’s inclusion at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, Tagovailoa will be content to continue leading the American Samoa side but could also have an eye on getting another professional opportunity. The 26-year-old has played in four different leagues since going undrafted out of Maryland in 2024.

Most recently, Tagovailoa suited up for the Houston Gamblers during the 2026 UFL season. He completed 53.1% of his passes for 300 yards, two touchdowns and one interception across four games played.

Before that, Tagovailoa played for the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2024), the EFL’s Hamburg Sea Devils (2025) and the NAL’s Massachusetts Pirates. The 5-11, 200-pound quarterback has never signed with an NFL team, though he did earn a tryout at rookie camp with the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks in 2024.