Photo By Spc. Michelle Lessard-Terry | U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Matthew Vasquez, 6th Battalion, 56th Air Defense Artillery...... read more read more
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FORT HOOD, Texas — Staff Sergeant Matthew Vasquez, 6th Battalion, 56th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, has played soccer for nearly 30 years; from Houston backyards to international leagues to the All-Army Men’s Soccer Team.
Vasquez’s journey started as a kid, inspired by a father who would drive hours just to catch the end of his games.
“My passion began with my father and my siblings,” Vasquez said. “I have three older sisters and one older brother. Seeing them play kind of drove me to want to be better. I’ve been playing for about 27 years now. I started around two or three years old.”
His father always made sure to show up to support him, giving him the motivation to keep playing.
“No matter where I would go, I could always ensure that my father was going to show up to my games,” Vasquez said. “Whether it was to watch the last 20 minutes, the second half, he would always ensure to at least be present.”
His early interest quickly turned into a serious pursuit. Vasquez played college soccer at Louisiana State University, Alexandria, before taking his game overseas.
“After college, I went on to play overseas,” Vasquez said. “I played in Guatemala, I played in the Netherlands, and it kind of got me ready for the next step. As time progressed at each level that I played at, it just prepared me for the next.”
All that preparation paid off when Vasquez made the All-Army Men’s Soccer Team. His experience helped him stand out right away. But making the team was just the start; he still had to prove he could adapt and adjust his style of play.
Vasquez started his Army soccer journey at Fort Bragg as a winger, a position that requires speed, agility, and good dribbling. When he moved to Fort Hood, he was asked to play outside back, a defensive role he never thought he would take on a few years ago.
“If you asked me five or six years ago if I would ever play defense, I probably would have laughed in your face,” Vasquez said. “But now I’m playing outside back for the Army team, too.”
His teammate, Specialist Heriberto Hernandez, 115th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, is a Motor Transport Operator and goalkeeper who has known Vasquez since playing together on the Fort Hood soccer team. Hernandez sees adaptability as one of Vasquez’s key strengths. “It was good competition,” Hernandez said about the tryouts, noting the high standard for every player on the roster.
“The original motivation was one of the coaches here for the Army team. He was my coach at Fort Bragg,” Vasquez explained. “Over time, he would put it in my ear: ‘Hey, you should apply.’ And then I moved to Fort Hood, and another Army coach here said the same thing. I applied about three years ago, and this is my third camp, my third year here with the Army program.”
Hernandez’s path to the team followed a similar pattern. He started playing soccer at 12 years old, in Fresno, California, playing in soccer clubs and in high school. After enlisting in the Army, he had played under head coach Chief Warrant Officer 4 Raul Almendarez at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, before Almendarez became his coach for the All-Army team.
“He pretty much told me to try out,” Hernandez said.
For both Vasquez and Hernandez, making the roster was just the beginning. Being on the team doesn’t mean leaving military duties behind — for Vasquez, who serves as a platoon sergeant, balancing both roles can be demanding.
“Luckily, they’re kind of separated,” he said. “Whenever we have tournaments or games, they send us on TDY, so it gives me time to really focus on what I’m doing. We’ve been in training for about 30 days now, and I’ve been able to really focus. But whenever I’m not on TDY, sometimes it’s a little hard to balance training and working, so it does get difficult at times, but I try to work around my work schedule as best I can.”
The training schedule is intense, leaving little time to rest. During camp, the team practices three times a day, morning, midday, and evening. Every day of the week.
“Recovery is a big part of what I’m doing right now,” Vasquez said. “Massage, cupping, cryotherapy, yoga, stretching, swimming, gym; a lot of recuperation when I’m not playing. Those three sessions a day, Monday through Sunday, really get your body exhausted.”
Hernandez echoed the intensity. “We don’t have much recovery time, but in a way it’s good.” He said, “It helps us build our stamina.”
At 29, Vasquez is honest about how hard it is to keep up with teammates who are sometimes ten years younger.
“The most difficult challenge is definitely fitness,” he said. “Every single player is fit. Everyone who shows up can sprint from the first minute of the game to the ninetieth minute. That’s probably the hardest thing to keep up with. I’m 29, about to hit 30. A lot of these guys are in their early 20s, some are 19. They’re in the peak shape of their lives. I have to do a little more recovery to still be able to keep up with these young guys.”
Hernandez, at 32, understands that reality better than most. He acknowledged that the window for competing at this level doesn’t stay open forever.
For Vasquez, playing for the All-Army team means more than just winning or losing. It connects him to his unit, his soldiers, and his family.
“It makes me feel good that I’m still able to play at a high level,” he said. “It gives me motivation that I’m able to represent not only the Army, but the 1st Cavalry Division. My soldiers are constantly asking me, ‘How’s it going? When are your games? Can we come watch?’ They’re excited.”
Vasquez hopes his excitement inspires others. He encourages his soldiers to pursue their own athletic goals through Army sports programs.
“Army sports aren't just soccer. They have football, rugby, swimming, softball,” he said. “I encourage my Soldiers: ‘Is this something you’re interested in? Dedicate some time to training, and put in an application.’ Maybe one day, one of these Soldiers can also represent the Army.”
After six years of service and signing up for six more, Vasquez is fully committed to both the Army and the team. Before he heads to recruitment training at Fort Knox, he has one goal left: to win a championship.
“The goal is to win the gold medal,” Vasquez said. “Last year, we played against the Air Force. The Army lost; unfortunately, the Air Force took that one. So we definitely want to bring the gold medal back to the Army.”
“Our team right now is very, very good,” he said. “I feel like every player on the roster has a vital role. This is a year that I can definitely see us taking it.”
Hernandez shares that belief without hesitation. “Yes, we’re gonna bring gold home,” he said. “I have faith in my teammates and myself. We’re definitely gonna do damage and hopefully bring the gold.”
Vasquez said, “Shout out to 6-56, DIVARTY, and 1st Cavalry Division for allowing me to come out here and represent not only our Battalion, Brigade, and my unit, but represent the Army as well.”
Hernandez wants to let his family and children know how inspired he is by their support. Together, Vasquez and Hernandez represent what the All-Army soccer program is built on. Soldiers who have given years to the game, answered the call to serve, and excel at both.
| Date Taken: | 04.01.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 04.01.2026 11:02 |
| Story ID: | 561727 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 22 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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