Hanscom captain plays for Air Force, Armed Forces soccer teams

  • Published
  • By Sarah Olaciregui
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Capt. Dan Walsh not only serves his country by being a part of the U.S. Air Force, but also when he plays soccer. For the past few months he had the opportunity to represent the United States as a member of the U.S. Air Force and Armed Forces soccer teams.

"The experience was one of the most unique, enjoyable and proudest moments in my life," Captain Walsh said. "I have always wanted to be a part of a U.S.A. team and play for my country. Putting on that jersey with the U.S.A. on the front was a lifetime goal and incredibly humbling."

Captain Walsh, who currently works in the Electronic Systems Center's Force Protection Branch as a program manager, has played soccer practically his entire life.

"Growing up in Colorado, I played as many sports as I could, but soccer was my favorite," he said. "I grew up playing soccer in Colorado Springs and decided to play college soccer at the U.S. Air Force Academy."

While in college, many alumni soccer players told him about the Air Force soccer team that played yearly in the U.S. Armed Forces Championships. Some of them had also played on the U.S. Armed Forces team, so Captain Walsh knew it was something he wanted to try and be a part of.

After graduation, he tried out and made the 2007, 2009 and 2010 teams.

"This year, there were around 45 Air Force officer and enlisted members selected to the training camp at Hurlburt Field in Florida," he said. "The team was cut to 18 players after a week of practice and games with local club teams."

The captain was fortunate enough to be one of the 18 selected. The team then trained for a week before hosting the U.S. Armed Forces Championship in Destin, Fla.

"The Air Force team went undefeated against Marines, Navy and Army in the first round, which put us as the number one seed going into the semis," said Captain Walsh. "But, unfortunately, we lost to the Army due to a penalty shot."

After the U.S. Armed Forces Championship, a U.S. Armed Forces team--voted on by coaches and referees--was announced and Captain Walsh found out he was selected.

"Of the 18 players selected, six were Air Force," said Captain Walsh. "We trained at Hurlburt for another week before heading down to Suriname, South America."

Suriname was the host site for the 2010 Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM) tournament, a tournament for North and South American military soccer teams.

Countries that participated included the United States, Canada, Barbados, Brazil, Ecuador, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname. The top three teams would qualify for the Military World Games in Rio De Janeirio, Brazil.

"We tied in points against Ecuador and Barbados in our bracket," Captain Walsh explained, "But even though we beat Ecuador 4 to 3 in our last game, we lost the tiebreaker to them because of a goal differential of one goal. Talk about a bummer. We didn't qualify to go to Rio by one goal!"

Although the U.S. team did not win, Captain Walsh enjoyed the experience for many reasons, other than the opportunity to play soccer.

"Not too many Americans have been to Suriname, and going as an ambassador from the U.S. as a military member was extraordinary," he said. "Everyone took great care of us, and they were extremely friendly in Suriname. It made me realize how much influence people have on others across the globe, sometimes without even knowing."

Even though this experience is done, Captain Walsh plans to continue playing the sport he loves by joining a team in Boston or playing on a base intramural team. He also hopes to coach a high school team in or around Boston in the near future.

"Playing sports crosses all boundaries and helps create legitimate relationships through the passion of whatever sport you love," he said. "The sports programs are a unique and effective way for our military members to gain experience and reach out to others."