US Marines, Australian Navy take to the football pitch for Fourth of July

Competitive as always, Darwin’s US Marine community will channel their Fourth of July spirit when they do battle on the football pitch against a group of Australian sailors who are planning to spoil the party.

MRF-D and Royal Australian Navy personnel ahead of their double-header soccer match at Darwin Football Stadium.

Competitive as always, Darwin’s US Marine community will channel their Fourth of July spirit when they do battle on the football pitch against a group of Australia sailors, who are planning to spoil the party.

At Darwin Football Stadium on Friday, the Territory’s strong contingent of US Marines will celebrate the US’s most significant calendar date, otherwise known at Independence Day.

First organised in 2023, the event has become a highly-anticipated fixture.

“We’re friendly off the pitch, but once we get out there it’s going to be tough,” Corporal Mya Patten said.

“I know last year it was kind of a blowout game, but this year it’s going to be a lot closer.”

Corporal Mya Patten says there will be a big Marine turnout in the stands.

She also indicated the crowd was likely to be pro-Marine.

“There’s a lot of people who are going to be out there, especially from the Marine side.”

Beyond the white line fever, the Fourth of July offers Darwin’s American diaspora to reflect on why they’re planted in the Top End.

Hailing from Kansas, Corporal Patten said she’d be thinking of her family almost 15,000 kms away.

“It’s why we’re in the military,” she said.

“We’re not going out there for ourselves, but for our families and everyone back home and the people that are going to be out here in the stands cheering us on.”

Marines enjoy a kick-about after a busy few months in the field.

Ironically, Friday will not be Corporal Patten’s first Fourth of July celebration in Australia, having completed a year of high school in Batemans Bay, NSW.

While Darwin was a “little bit different” to the cooler conditions of both Kansas and the south coast, Corporal Patten said she was loving her NT experience.

“I’m glad to be back in Australia and I hope to be back again once this rotation is done.”

RAN sailors fine-tune their close game.

Flying the flag for Australia is Leading Seaman Jesse Pinto, who has laced up every match since the fixture’s inception.

“It’s always been a bit of a tight game, especially for the men,” he said.

“Hopefully we get the win again – we’re going for three in a row.”

A “very, very competitive game” has been predicted.

LS Pinto said a lot could be achieved over a 90-minute football match.

“It’s a great way to build our relationship with the US – even though it’s over a very, very competitive game,” he smiled.

“We’re all friends and we’re all working together at the end of the day.”

The double-header will take place at Darwin Football Stadium on July 4, 2025.

The women’s game will kick-off at 5pm, with men to follow at 7pm.

Originally published as US Marines, Australian Navy take to the football pitch for Fourth of July