MacDill host AF soccer team trials

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Latanya Reid
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing
MACDILL AFB Fla. --  More than 40 Airmen world-wide competed against each other here Jan.12 with the hopes of becoming members of the coveted All-Air Force men's soccer team.

"There are representatives from at least 20 Air Force bases competing in multiple scrimmages and playoffs at the MacDill field as well as in the local areas," said Master Sgt. John Reay, All-Air Force Soccer Team assistant coach.

"We have all ranks of Airmen; from the highest rank, a captain to an airman first class."

The soccer team association has held their trials every year for one month in an effort to select the best players to represent the Air Force at the Armed Forces tournament.

"At the end of the tryouts, 18 members are chosen to compete against the other military branches in the Armed Forces tournament," said Sergeant Ray.

By choosing the best players the aim of the team is to dominate the play-offs to become this year's winners.

Staff Sgt. Patrick Nichols, Airman Leadership School instructor and network engineer at Sheppard AFB, Texas, has been with the team since 2005.

"I've played in Germany locally, college and with the base team," said Sergeant Nichols about his previous soccer experience. "My goal is to make the team as a field player even though I have always been a goalkeeper."

He expressed his anticipation and sincere appreciation for the game as well as his future teammates.

"The guys competing this year are a very talented and dedicated group," he added. "This is one of the events I look forward to each year."

1st Lt. Marcus Sagastume, a pilot from Robins AFB, Ga., took a break from flying aircrafts to pursue his other passion, soccer. This was his first tryout for the Air Force soccer team but certainly not his first time representing the Air Force.

"I've had the opportunity to play for the Air Force Academy as well as the Colorado Rapids, my home team," said Lieutenant Sagastume. "Making the team would give me the chance to represent the Air Force in another way."

Also competing for the first time was Airman 1st Class Peter Miller, 1st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron communications navigator of missions systems, Hurlbert Field, Fla. While growing up in England, Airman Miller, played soccer for most of his life, and continued playing for his base team. He competed in the Defenders Cup at Lackland AFB, Texas last year.

He intends to make the team trials and encourages other Airmen to take up the challenge.

"Some people are scared to apply but I would recommend they try out. Being here has given me a new perspective," he said.

"A few of the returning team members represented the Air Force on the Armed Forces soccer team in Brazil last year and performed very well," said Sergeant Ray regarding the opportunities presented to some of the players. "They get to travel and we get to display the incredible talent we have in our Air Force."

The team's final game on Sunday will determine the final 18 members who will compete in the Armed Forces tournament from Jan.30 to Feb.7. Some of the members will continue on to play for the U.S. Armed Forces Men's soccer team at the 2008 Conseil International Du Sport Militaire (International Military Sports Council), Military World Games.