Minot Airman Makes Air Force Soccer Team

Senior Airman Ryan Praleikas, an aerospace medical technician with the 5th Medical Group, looks on as his team runs down the field to try and score at the Optimist Soccer Complex, Minot , N.D., June 17, 2015. Praleikas recently made the U.S. Air Force Men’s Soccer team. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Sullivan)

Minot Airman Makes Air Force Soccer Team

Senior Airman Ryan Praleikas, an aerospace medical technician with the 5th Medical Group, waits for another attempt to stop a goal at the Optimist Soccer Complex, Minot, N.D., June 17, 2015. Praleikas said he started playing goal keeper at a young age and eventually went on to play the same position for the Air Force Men’s Soccer team. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Sullivan)

Minot Airman Makes Air Force Soccer Team

Senior Airman Ryan Praleikas, an aerospace medical technician with the 5th Medical Group, attempts to stop a shot from the opposing team at Optimist Soccer Complex, Minot, N.D., June 17, 2015. Praleikas was on the 2015 U.S. Air Force Men’s Soccer team when they took home silver in the All Armed Forces Tournament. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Sullivan)

Minot Airman Makes Air Force Soccer Team

Senior Airman Ryan Praleikas, an aerospace medical technician with the 5th Medical Group, prepares to take a goal kick after stopping a shot attempt at Optimist Soccer Complex, Minot, N.D., June 17, 2015. Praleikas recently made the U.S. Air Force Men’s Soccer team. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Sullivan)

Minot Airman Makes Air Force Soccer Team

Senior Airman Ryan Praleikas, an aerospace medical technician with the 5th Medical Group, strikes the ball back to his teammates after a failed score attempt from the opposing team at Optimist Soccer Complex, Minot, N.D., June 17, 2015. Praleikas was on the 2015 U.S. Air Force Men’s Soccer team when they took home silver in the All Armed Forces Tournament. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Sullivan)

Minot Airman Makes Air Force Soccer Team

Senior Airman Ryan Praleikas, an aerospace medical technician with the 5th Medical Group, prepares to stop a corner kick from the opposing team at Optimist Soccer Compex, Minot, N.D., June 17, 2015. Praleikas said he started playing goal keeper at a young age and eventually went on to play the same position for the Air Force Men’s Soccer team. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Sullivan)

Minot Airman makes Air Force Soccer Team

Published June 23, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Christian Sullivan
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Many Airmen might not take the opportunity to represent the Air Force in more ways than one. However, some Airmen may choose to participate in other activities such as the Air Force Band, Honor Guard or trying out for an Air Force sports team to further represent the Air Force's image.

Ryan Praleikas, an aerospace medical technician with the 5th Medical Group, recently tried out and made the Air Force soccer team.

Praleikas' love for the game started when he was young.

"I started playing when I was four or five years old, haven't really stopped since," Praleikas said.

His interest in the game came from those he grew up around when he was younger.

"I came from a predominantly Portuguese town in Connecticut so everybody played soccer," Praleikas said. "It was the thing you did, you either played that or football and I was too skinny growing up so it wasn't going to be football."

Praleikas thrives at the goal keeper position considering he has played that position for most of his soccer career.

"I was goal keeper throughout my younger years and all of high school, made my college team as a goal keeper until I got injured then ended up playing the field for a while," Praleikas said. "When I came to Minot, I got back into being a goalie and that's when I made the Air Force team."

Though Praleikas recently made the Air Force team, he has had the idea run through his mind on different occasions.

"It was brought up to me pretty early when I was in England, it's just the timing was never right," Praleikas said. "After the 2012 team with the budget, they stopped doing it until this year so I finally had the opportunity and put in the application."

The tryout process Praleikas went through was a rigorous and challenging experience.

"It's real quick," said Praleikas. "They bring in a lot of players to camp and on day three, they start cutting people and it sucks because people come from all over and get sent home that early. It was definitely trial by fire."

Although this was his first time trying out for the Air Force Team, Praleikas had no doubts due to his experience and confidence in his own game.

"I'm always a confident player so I knew I was going to be there from the beginning," said Praleikas. "It was pretty much relief."

During his first appearance for the Air Force Soccer Team in the All Armed Forces Tournament in California, Praleikas recalls his miscues and highlights from the game.

"Well we played against Navy and we went up pretty early and then I made just a glaring mistake in the back and they tied it up. Luckily we went on to win 3-2," Praleikas said. "After that mistake, we were in the 87th minute and they had a free kick about 25 yards out and the kid just placed it perfect upper 90 and I managed to get there and pick it out of the corner. It was good to see the team react to it."

Praleikas feels a special sense of pride and enjoyment representing the Air Force on and off the field.

"I like wearing the gear, it's a fun experience to talk about," said Praleikas. "Not a lot of people get to do that, getting paid to play a sport. That's a dream come true."