4th Annual Commanders Cup Won by TSSAS Team
SANDY, Utah – Sunday, July 20, 2025 – The 4th annual Commanders Cup concluded in thrilling fashion at America First Field, home of Real Salt Lake (RSL) of Major League Soccer (MLS). Hosted by Hill Air Force Base in partnership with RSL, the tournament brought together elite military soccer teams from across the country, highlighting the discipline, athleticism, and camaraderie of service members on and off the field.
This year’s event featured 16 teams, divided into four groups of four, with only the top team in each group advancing. Representing Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA), the JBSA Spartans advanced to the championship after winning their group and semi-final matches by defeating teams from Hawaii, Georgia, California, and New Mexico.
The final match saw JBSA take on three-time defending champions Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). After a 2-2 draw in regulation and a scoreless golden-goal overtime, the championship was decided by penalty kicks. In a dramatic finish, JBSA won 5–4, taking home their first Commanders Cup title and ending JBLM’s reign since the tournament’s inception in Utah. JBSA also took home multiple individual honors with team captain A1C Logan DeLoss receiving MVP honors, A1C Ebenezer Arthur receiving the “Golden Boot”, and LtCol Paul Elsbernd receiving the “Golden Gloves.”
The weekend showcased not only top-tier competition, but also the unifying power of sport within the military community. Special thanks to San Antonio Soccer Association (SASA), a member of the South Texas State Soccer Association (TSSAS), and to Ms. Renee and Gloria Rodriguez, whose generous financial support helped fund JBSA’s travel and tournament expenses—making this historic victory possible.
JBSA soccer’s next major competition will be the 2025 Defender’s Cup, held here in San Antonio, TX, which will host 36+ military soccer teams from around the globe in the nation’s largest military soccer competition.
Highlights can be seen on YouTube in this one-minute recap:
The JBSA Varsity Soccer team is composed of members representing the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and DoD Civilians. Here’s their roster:
| Name | Service |
|---|---|
| Paul Elsbernd | US Air Force |
| Alan Yu | US Army Reserves |
| Albert Menchaca | US Air Force Reserves |
| Alex Gardner | US Air Force |
| Andy Hyres | US Army Reserves |
| Anna Koning | US Air Force |
| Chris Afaisen | US Navy Reserves |
| Donald Spears | US Army Reserves |
| Ebenezer Arthur | US Air Force |
| Hayden Peake | US Air Force Civilian |
| Jerad Lantz | US Air Force |
| Jesus Barba | US Air Force |
| Joel Marquez | US Air Force |
| John Boyle | US Army |
| Jose Hernandez | US Army Reserves |
| Logan DeLoss | US Air Force |
| Matthew Solomon | US Army |
| Michael Velasco | US Air Force |
| Raul Quinones | US Army Reserves |
| Robert Sheridan | US Air Force Dependent |
| Samtu Palouki | US Army Veteran |
| Sebastian Gonzalez | US Marine Corps Veteran |
| Sergio Cervantes | US Air Force |
Writing credits to Andrew Hyres and Paul Elsbernd
Photos provided by Paul Elsbernd
