By Andrew Claridge - Florida Catholic
Knights of Columbus present the colors at the start of the game. The seminarians beat the priests 7-1 at the fourth annual Archbishop's Cup soccer game played Jan. 16, 2026, on the field of St. Thomas University, Miami Gardens.
From left referees, Joshua Claridge, Juan Garcia and Marcos Fernandez lead the seminarian and priest teams onto the field for the fourth annual ArchbishopÕs Cup game at St. Thomas University, Miami Gardens, Jan. 16, 2026.
Tatiana Palma, a parishioner of St. Stephen Parish in Miramar, shows her support for the priests' team at the fourth annual Archbishop's Cup game played at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Jan. 16, 2026.
Seminarian Pietro Pironato(No. 9) celebrates his goal with seminarian Melkin Centeno during the fourth annual ArchbishopÕs Cup game played at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Jan. 16, 2026.
Cheerleaders at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale pose for a picture at the fourth annual Archbishop's Cup game played at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Jan. 16, 2026.
Members of the Raider Regiment and Marching Band at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale pose for a picture at the fourth annual Archbishop's Cup game played at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Jan. 16, 2026.
From left, Father Franklin Ekezie, parochial vicar at Nativity Parish in Hollywood, and Father Humphrey Ani, professor at St. John Vianney Seminary in Miami, attended the fourth annual Archbishop's Cup soccer game in support of priests and seminarians played at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Jan. 16, 2026.
Religious sisters of the Archdiocese of Miami also caught the sporting spirit and attended the fourth Archbishop's Cup at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens Jan. 16, 2026. From left, front row, Sister Elizabeth Worley, chancellor for administration and chief operating officer at the Archdiocese of Miami and Carmelite Sisters of St. Theresa School in Coral Gables, Sister Rosalie Nagy, principal. Rear row, Sister Madeleine, PK3 and PK4 tutor and Sister Marie Carmen, religious teacher.
Members of the Raider Regiment, Marching Band and cheerleaders at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale perform at the halftime of at the fourth annual Archbishop's Cup game played at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Jan. 16, 2026.
Father Freddy Yara, parochial vicar at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Miami, takes a photo with fans of his parish at the fourth annual Archbishop's Cup game played at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Jan. 16, 2026. The seminarians defeated the priest 7-1.
Father Fritzner Bellonce (right), pastor of Holy Family Parish in North Miami, executes a clean pass as seminarian Darvin Leiva approaches during the fourth annual Archbishop's Cup game played at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Jan. 16, 2026.
Crowds cheer on the priests after the priests' team scored the first and only goal. The seminarians defeated the priest 7-1 in the fourth Archbishop's Cup played at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Jan. 16, 2026. (ROCIO GRANADOS | LVC)
The scoreboard shows the first and only goal scored by the priests, who lost 7-1 to the seminarians at the fourth Archbishop's Cup played at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Jan. 16, 2026. (ROCIO GRANADOS | LVC)
Seminarians from St. John Vianney Seminary in Miami, St. Vincent De Paul Seminary in Boynton Beach and Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Hialeah, gather for a group photo at the fourth annual Archbishop's Cup game played at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Jan. 16, 2026. The seminarians defeated the priest 7-1.
Auxiliary Bishop Enrique Delgado concludes the fourth edition of the Archbishop's Cup. The seminarians defeated the priests 7-1 in the game played at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens on January 16, 2026. (ROCIO GRANADOS | LVC)
Auxiliary Bishop Enrique Delgado presents the Archbishop's Cup trophy to seminarian Gabriel Campos after the game in which the seminarians defeated the priest 7-1. The soccer game was played at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Jan. 16, 2026. (ROCIO GRANADOS | LVC)
Seminarians from Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Hialeah, Carlos Escamilla (left) and Juan Martin hold the trophy after winning the fourth annual Archbishop's Cup game. The seminarians defeated the priest 7-1 at the game played at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Jan. 16, 2026.
Seminarians celebrate their 7-1 victory over the priests. This is their fourth consecutive win at the Archbishop's Cup played at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Jan. 16, 2026.
Auxiliary Bishop Enrique Delgado, holding the Archbishop’s Cup trophy, and Father Milton Martinez, archdiocesan vocations director, pose with the winning seminarian team after the game played at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Jan. 16, 2026. (ROCIO GRANADOS | LVC)
A Radio Paz commentator interviews Father Reynol Brevil, parochial vicar at St. Mary Cathedral in Miami, who scored the only goal for the priests' team after the game. The seminarians defeated the priest 7-1 in the fourth Archbishop's Cup played at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Jan. 16, 2026. (ROCIO GRANADOS | LVC)
Photography: ANDREW CLARIDGE | FC
MIAMI GARDENS | The match seemed destined to become a humiliating blowout. By the 40th minute of the 4th Archbishop’s Cup—an annual soccer game between priests and seminarians held on Jan. 16, 2026, at St. Thomas University—the seminarians’ team was leading the priests’ team 4–0. However, moments later, the priests’ team scored the lone goal of honor.
Father Reynold Brevil, parochial vicar at St. Mary Cathedral in Miami, scored the only goal for the priests’ team, restoring the priests’ honor.
Photographer: ROCIO GRANADOS | LVC
A Radio Paz commentator interviews Father Reynol Brevil, parochial vicar at St. Mary Cathedral in Miami, who scored the only goal for the priests’ team after the game. The seminarians defeated the priest 7-1 in the fourth Archbishop's Cup played at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Jan. 16, 2026.
It was a special moment. In the four-year history of the tournament, it marked the first goal ever scored by a priest. The long-awaited strike ignited loud cheers from the stands, as priests, seminarians, and fans celebrated together at AutoNation Field at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens.
Despite this historic feat, the seminarians dominated the match, securing a 7–1 victory and their fourth consecutive win in the Annual Archbishop’s Cup.
But the game was not about the score or who won. Once again, it was a celebration of fraternity and shared vocation—the friendly rivalry between priests and seminarians from the Archdiocese of Miami, a tradition rooted in unity and brotherhood.
Father Milton Martinez archdiocesan vocations director emphasized the Cup’s family spirit, explaining how it brings together parishes, schools, and the broader community through sports, food, and music.
Father Martinez whose office organized the event, said that it has grown into an annual tradition that delights both participants and spectators.
The event also helped financially support the Seminary Burse Fund, for which a QR code was provided to accept donations.
Photographer: ANDREW CLARIDGE | FC
Members of the Raider Regiment and Marching Band at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale pose for a picture at the fourth annual ArchbishopÕs Cup game played at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Jan. 16, 2026.
The game started with a presentation of the Colors, carried by the Knights of Columbus. The St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School Marching Band led the procession from the bleachers, while Our Lady of Lourdes singers performed the National Anthem. Auxiliary Bishop Enrique Delgado opened the event with a prayer.
As the match unfolded, Father Manny Alvarez, pastor of the Church of the Little Flower in Coral Gables, served as emcee and commentator. Mixing humor with play-by-play, he guided the crowd through highlights and kept spectators engaged from kickoff to the final whistle.
Adding to the mood, this year’s weather was a pleasant change from last year’s windy and colder conditions. The warmer weather this time fostered a more relaxed ambiance. Both teams, seminarians and priests, were greeted by enthusiastic applause from the stands. Parishioners and guests from across the Archdiocese of Miami gathered, greeted each other, and cheered for familiar faces.
During warm-up, Seminarian Brandon Martinez said, “I am happy! Also, just praying to win.”
The priests’ goalkeeper, Father Agustin Estrada, priest secretary to the Archbishop, made multiple impressive saves. Despite his efforts, the seminarians started to dominate the scoring, clearly shifting the momentum in their favor.
Father Estrada later remarked, “Nobody likes to lose, but this game is about more than winning. It is about building fraternity and community among my fellow priests, seminarians, and the entire archdiocesan community. I gave my best,” and he added with a laugh, “to the point that I think I cracked a rib!”
Father Humphrey Ani, faculty at St. John Vianney College Seminary, said, “The boys (seminarians) are on the pitch, the priests are on the pitch. I am happy either way.”
Despite the seminarians’ lead, many fans remained firmly behind the priests. Tatiana Palma, a parishioner of St. Stephen Church, in Miramar, shared her thoughts from the sideline, “The priests must win,” she said.
Photographer: ANDREW CLARIDGE | FC
Seminarians celebrate their 7-1 victory over the priests. This is their fourth consecutive win at the ArchbishopÕs Cup played at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Jan. 16, 2026.
Fifteen-year-old Annie Polyakov, who attended the game with her family—parishioners of St. Gregory the Great parish in Plantation—said, “I’m ecstatic!” Her parents agreed, adding, “It is nice to see them as regular guys having fun. We did not know how to react to seeing the priests playing on a team. It has been amazing to watch.”
Others noted the event’s broader impact. “Awesome way to connect the youth to parishes. Seeing all the priests and seminarians brings the community together,” said Jean A. Souffrant from parishioner of Notre Dame D'Haiti Catholic Mission in Miami.
“We enjoyed watching the priests compete. We expected the seminarians to take it easy, but they played intensely. The priests earned their goal,” said Oscar Pulido, parishioner of St. Katherine Drexel Church in Weston. His wife, Elisabeth added, “Events like this have influenced our choice of colleges for our daughter. St. Thomas University remains our top choice.”
At the end of the match, Bishop Delgado presented the game-winning trophy to the seminarians.
After the field cleared, seminarian Juan Martin summed up the evening: “It was good to win, but even better to be with the priests. There is a special communion among priests and seminarians. God called us all for this mission. It is wonderful to gather. I am happy for the priests.”
