By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic
This article was updated with additional information Jan. 24, 2024.
MIAMI | The priests lost 3-0 last year. Having picked up a few “draft choices” – seminarians who became priests since playing last year – can the priests even the score and take home the Archbishop’s Cup?
The question will be answered when the second annual fútbol (soccer) game between archdiocesan priests and seminarians is played, Friday evening, Jan. 26, 2024. The site once again is the athletic field at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens. Game time is 7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m.
An enthusiastic crowd of around 1,500 gathered at St. Thomas to watch the game last year. The idea came from Archbishop Thomas Wenski after watching the enthusiasm generated by last year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Father Matthew Gomez, archdiocesan director of the Office of Vocations, which organizes the event, is hoping for at least as big a crowd this year. And with nearly a year to organize it – compared to seven weeks last year – he’s making it possible for people to come wearing the colors of their favorite side: royal blue for priests, gold for seminarians.
The Vocations Office has created an online store – SquadLocker – where parishioners and others can purchase T-shirts that match those of the side they’ll be cheering for. The site is: https://bit.ly/3S00arh.
The game also serves as a "kick off" for the annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 28-Feb. 3. Like last year, cheerleaders from several schools will be present.
Admission is free but donations to the Seminary Burse Fund are welcome and can be made online. Members of the Serra Club will be manning a soda stand and six food trucks — four savory and two sweet — will be on hand as well for those who want to enjoy dinner before or during the game.
Radio Paz (830AM/96.1FM) will providing the play-by-play and color commentary while streaming the game live. Those in attendance can tune in on their mobile devices.
St. Thomas University is located at 16401 N.W. 37 Ave., Miami Gardens.
Photographer: CRISTINA CABRERA JARRO | FC
Father Juan Carlos Salazar (blue), administrator of St. Martha Parish in Miami Shores, fights for the ball with seminarian and then-Deacon Saul Araujo, who was ordained a priest a few months after the game in 2023. The second annual Archbishop's Cup soccer game will be played Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, once again on the field at St. Thomas University, Miami Gardens.
