OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The Offutt Varsity Soccer team, commonly known as Team Offutt Football Club, will hit the road this week for San Antonio where they are scheduled to compete for the 2018 Defenders Cup National Military Soccer Tournament title over Labor Day weekend at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.
The Defenders Cup is a military soccer tournament that is open to any base or post-level soccer team representing a service installation.
“Our goal is to make it out of the group stage and excelling in the knockout stage games,” said James Strange, Team Offutt F.C. head coach and a captain with the 55th Operations Support Squadron. “We were knocked out of the semi-finals in last year’s competition, so we hope to go all the way this year.”
The club is comprised of nineteen players from across the installation. This includes not only active duty Airmen from the 55th Wing but also multiple partner units including the 557th Weather Wing and 595th Command & Control Group among others.
“We have a great cross-section of the base represented and we’re all very proud to wear the Team Offutt F.C. badge,” Strange said.
The team competes locally during the Fall and Spring in the NP Dodge men’s league on Sundays and the men’s open league on Thursdays. However, they are on a break right now but have been practicing hard in preparation for the tournament.
“We have a great team across the pitch and are excited for several of our team members to get tryouts for the all-armed forces team,” Strange said. “I feel really good about our chances.”
Team Offutt F.C.’s highest finish in the Defenders Cup came in 2013 when they finished third overall.
This is the 20th annual Defenders Cup tournament.