USA soccer kicks off Military World Games

USA goalkeeper Staff Sgt. Joshua Blodgett leaped, dove and used his head to block goals in the opening match of the Military World Games on Wednesday, but it wasn't enough to stop host-nation South Korea from prevailing 7-0.

The soccer match in downtown Mungyeong's Citizens Stadium was a much-anticipated event that kicked off what will be almost two weeks of international competition between more than 7,000 military athletes from 103 nations. The game took place a full two days before the official opening ceremony of the 2015 Conseil International du Sport Militaire, or CISM World Games. The games are held every four years.

The South Korean military team went into the first game heavily favored with a roster of athletes, who had played for various teams in the K League, or Korean professional league. In fact, the Sangju Sangmu Football Club of the Korean military plays teams in the K League year-round.


http://www.army.mil/article/156461/USA_soccer_kicks_off_Military_World_Games/