Photo By Master Sgt. Kulani Lakanaria | The Fort Bliss Men’s Soccer Team takes a moment to dance after a game-winning goal...... read more read more
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SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Fort Bliss Men’s Soccer Team battled to bring home the Defender’s Cup this year over the Labor Day weekend. The team acted as a well-oiled machine securing a spot in the quarterfinals, but lost by a score of 2-1 to the eventual-champion Fort Irwin Men’s Soccer Team.
“The Defender’s Cup is the World Cup of military soccer,” said Pfc. Thiago L. Silva, a canon crewmember, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 1 Armored Division, DIVARTY. “We’re proud that we had the opportunity to play great games against great teams.”
The tournament, which is held in San Antonio, Texas, each year, hosted 38 teams, including one as far away as Hawaii.
FBMST was among the top eight teams. Fort Irwin went on to win the Defender’s Cup, the first time an Army team has ever won the cup, a first-time accomplishment for an Army team.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the team,” said Sgt. 1st Class Frantcy Diegue, the FBMST head coach, with Headquarters Headquarters Company, Garrison. “The team played their hearts out, and that’s all I could ask for.”
In the group stage, FBMST had early victories. The first match was against Altus Air Force Base. After an impressive drive the team came out on top in a 4-0 blowout. The next team was Hill Air Force Base. Once again, the FBMST won with a final score of 4-1. The final group stage match was against Cannon Air Force Base. The Cannon team pulled together for a win over FBMST with a score of 0-1. The FBMST was seeded in the knock out round as number 11 out of 38 teams.
During the knock out round, the Fort Bliss team’s first game was against Joint Base Langley-Eustis. The FBMST sent JB Langley-Eustis home with a final score of 2-0. The second game was against Luke AFB. FBMST continued to roll with a final score of 2-1, securing their spot in the quarterfinals.
Then came the number 3-seeded team, Fort Irwin. In FBMST’s toughest match, Fort Irwin broke the 1-1 deadlock with only six minutes left in the game defeating the FBMST and ending their run for the 2014 Defender’s Cup.
“I can’t be mad,” Pfc. Silva said. “We dominated the game. Fort Irwin only had two chances to score and got lucky.”
The FBMST is looking to rebuild the team for next year. Many players will move due to Permanent Change of Station moves.
“I would advise players interested to join the team to come out to practice and tryouts and stay fit,” said Spc. Akon B. Che, a medical laboratory specialist, with William Beaumont Army Medical Center. “Stay healthy, and give your 110 percent every game.”
“Make room in the division trophy case,” said Spc. Raymond Alexander, with 501 Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division. “The Defender’s Cup will be Fort Bliss’ next year.”
The team holds regular tryouts and is open to all military ID holders stationed at Fort Bliss.
Soldiers interested in playing for the Fort Bliss Men’s Soccer Team, visit Facebook.com/fortblisssoccer.
| Date Taken: | 09.02.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.04.2014 10:47 |
| Story ID: | 141118 |
| Location: | SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 160 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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