USA All Military Team 3rd in CISM

CISM Soccer Team USA to Play against Brazil

After winning the Army-Navy-Air Force-Marines tournament last Saturday, Tyler Stratford, his coach Auggie Mendez and more of the best players from each team are playing against Brazil, Canada, and others starting on February 21st, 2009.

Here is the full CISM soccer schedule

Forwarded Air Force Print News story: U.S. Armed Forces soccer team announced

Dan Stratford (Dstratford@gmail.com) has sent you a Air Force Link story. You can view the original story at http://www.dyess.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123134679.

U.S. Armed Forces soccer team announced
7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The All-Army Soccer Team bested all other military branches, taking first place in the U.S. Armed Forces Soccer Championship Feb. 7 at Abilene's Shotwell Stadium.1

"We were down 2-0 but within 15 minutes we turned it around," Army Sergeant 1st Class Agustin Mendez, Coach Army Soccer. "It's been an unbelievable experience."1

The Army team beat the Marine Corps team, 3-2 on Saturday to claim the final victory needed to lock-up the championship. The Navy team finished the tournament in second place after a 2-1 victory over the Air Force team. Third and fourth place went to the Air Force and Marine Corps respectively.1

The teams battled each day Feb. 2 to 7 for the coveted Armed Forces title and a chance to play on the all U.S. team.1

Following the closing ceremony, the all U.S. team was selected by secret ballot. These soldiers, Airmen and Marines will now play in the International Counsel of Military Sports Continental Football Continental Championship that will be hosted by the City of Abilene and Dyess later this month.1

Sergeant Mendez, a soccer player for nearly 45-years was selected as the head-coach for the all U.S. team.1

Mendez indicated he was proud of the way his Army team had played and is now honored and looking forward to coaching the U.S. team.1

The Air Force team played strong and several Airmen will be among the final CISM team.
"We (the Air Force) didn't come out with the results we wanted, but it was fun," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Quincey Collins. "We've played our hearts out for the whole tournament."
The 26-year-old Staff Sergeant has played for the all-Air Force team for six years and was selected for the all U.S team.1

"It was an honor to play with my comrades from the other services," he added.
The best players will now face off against the best military competition from the Western Hemisphere. The CISM football tournament has been held previously in Brazil and Canada.1

The members of the all U.S. team are:1
Players
AEAN RANDY LUCKY
CPT ANDREW FILAURO
HN ISAEL GARZA
BUCN JOSEPH COYLE
CPL KOFI AGYEMAN
1 LT KURT HUNT
GSM2 ROHAN HALL
SSGT QUINCEY COLLINS
SSGT GABRIEL JARAMILLO
LT WILLIAM McGUILLIVRAY
SPC TYLER STRATFORD
SGT JOSE DONJUAN
CPL MICHAEL CALLAWAY
1 LT LUKE BARNES
SRA PETER MILLER
SGT BARRY BAPTIST-SWIFT
SSG TITUS KUMAU
Staff
Head Coach: SFC AGUSTIN "AUGGIE" MENDEZ (USA)
Asst Coach: LTCOL BAMIDELE "DJ" ABOGUNRIN (USMC)
Trainer: MR. PHILLIP BURNETT (USMC)

Army Beat Marines 3-2 in an Amazing Soccer Comeback!

First-as I live vicariously through my son, here is one of my favorite Tyler soccer stories from his youth…

I grew up in Kansas City-a big Royals and Chiefs fan-and my son Tyler was born there. We did not move to Denver until he was about 9.

One year when he was 5 or 6 we signed him up for baseball. As the coach was handing out uniforms he asked Tyler what number he wanted. Tyler said he wanted number 5.

The coach said; “I bet you want that because it’s George Brett’s number!”

Tyler’s response; “No-that’s my dad’s number!”
(“5” was my number when I played collegiate soccer)

So it was with great pride and a more than a hint of living vicariously that I watched my son last night help the All Army soccer team defeat the All Marines in a stunning comeback after being down 2-0 at half time to win the gold 3-2 with 2 minutes left in the game. The feelings were amplified when he was selected to play for the All Armed Forces USA team soon after. They will now play Brazil, Canada, and 2 other countries in a regional soccer tournament here in Abilene Texas starting this Thursday.

If by some miracle they win that tournament I have no idea what happens next. In countries like Brazil, most of their best soccer players at one point played for the Brazilian armed forces team in their youth. The pride in playing them is that you get the experience of playing the future soccer stars of the world who end up playing in Europe and on the Brazilian national team at some point-and probably getting “it handed to you” on the field.

Army Wins Soccer Gold

Tyler Stratford on Army Soccer Team

Tyler is playing left midfielder for the All Army soccer team