Teamwork, fellowship are the real winners as men and women compete
By Magdiel Argueta
More than 250 people participated in the 2026 Diocesan Soccer Tournament held on May 31 at Victor Ashe Park in Knoxville.
The tournament was sponsored by the Diocese of Knoxville Office of Youth, Young Adult, and Pastoral Juvenil.
When the first whistle blew at 8:14 a.m., four fields were ready for an outstanding tournament. The day began with the qualifying round, where 14 men’s teams competed for a place in the quarterfinals, while four women’s teams battled for a spot in the championship match.
While the soccer play was very competitive, the action led to fellowship and team-building.
But how does sports bring young people closer to God?
For Julio Quinilla, sports reflect many aspects of life itself. They teach self-control.
“When we are on the field with a team, we have to understand one another, be humble, know our role during the game, and think about every step and every movement. That is also how our life is as children of God,” Mr. Quinilla explained.
His words carry an important truth. The soccer field reveals not only a person’s talent and desire to win but also their ability to control their character, which becomes especially evident in a Christian environment.
“We had to learn that different cultures and temperaments exist and recognize the challenges that can arise. At the same time, I encountered a great deal of humility, generosity, and a willingness to share and help one another, creating a true family atmosphere,” Mr. Quinilla shared.
Fraternity is another valuable aspect that emerges through events like the Diocesan Soccer Tournament, especially when communities from different parishes across the diocese come together.
For Jacky Mejía, this was one of the tournament’s greatest successes.
“It is beautiful to see different parishes come together and participate in events like this. It strengthens the young-adult community,” she said.
Yet fraternity was not the only fruit of the tournament. The event also offered an opportunity to recognize the quiet dedication of those who worked for weeks to make it possible. Mary Euseda expressed the joy she felt when she saw the results of so much effort.
“A great deal of happiness—seeing how the efforts of others bore fruit was truly beautiful. Nothing is impossible for God,” Ms. Euseda said.
Her words remind everyone of something that often is overlooked. Behind every successful event are hours of preparation, meetings, phone calls, volunteers, and countless people who generously offer their time in service. While much of that work often goes unnoticed, its fruit eventually becomes visible to everyone.
José Barrera shared a similar reflection when he said, “Sacrificing everything, even the smallest things, with great love has its reward.” His words bring to mind Christ’s own teaching: to love without measure.
Perhaps that was one of the most important lessons of this tournament. No pastoral project is built alone. It requires the dedication of many people who contribute their gifts and talents toward a common purpose.
Although the primary goal of the tournament was to raise funds for the upcoming II Diocesan Youth Day on Nov. 14, its impact has reached far beyond fundraising. Friendships were strengthened, new connections were formed among parishes, and young people were given a healthy environment in which to gather and share their faith.
“My favorite moment was taking pictures of the winning teams receiving their awards. In those images, you can see the excitement on the players’ faces as they realize their hard work paid off,” Ms. Mejía said.
Through her talent behind the camera, she captured many of the tournament’s most memorable moments.
That same excitement could be seen at the conclusion of every match. Behind every trophy were hours of training, sacrifice, and perseverance. Yet there also were youth groups cheering from the sidelines, families encouraging their loved ones, and entire communities celebrating each accomplishment.
At the end of the tournament, the men’s division champions were Boys of Jesus from Nova Esperanza Young Adult Group at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville. The runner-up title went to Lumen FC from Tras las Huellas de Jesús Young Adult Group from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Chattanooga.
In the women’s division, Diamond FC of Chattanooga claimed first place, while Testigos del Amor de Dios from St. Patrick Parish in Morristown earned the runner-up title.
Still, it would be unfair to think that the tournament was only about the teams that lifted a trophy. The true success of the event could be seen far beyond the final standings. It could be seen in the volunteers who arrived early to prepare the grounds; in those who spent hours serving food; and in those who assisted with officiating, organization, and cleanup. It could be seen in every person who chose to dedicate part of their time to support this initiative.
Many of the most important fruits of ministry cannot be measured by numbers. It’s true that more than 250 people participated in this tournament. It’s true that funds were successfully raised for the II Diocesan Youth Day. But it’s also true that something deeper took place that day: young people from different parishes spent time together. New friendships began to form. Some were reunited after many years. Others for the first time met fellow young Catholics who, despite living in different cities, share the same faith and the same desire to follow Christ.
Perhaps that is the most beautiful aspect of events like this. They remind us that we do not walk alone.
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all the members of the Diocesan Council of Pastoral Juvenil Hispana (DCPJH), to every team that participated in the tournament, to Giovany Abreu for his constant support from Atlanta, to the Archdiocese of Atlanta for accompanying us and collaborating in this initiative, to Tienda El Girasol in Knoxville for its valuable support, and to every person who helped make this event possible.
At the end of the day, when the final match concluded and cleanup began, there remained the satisfaction of having achieved another important goal. There were certainly challenges, fatigue, and difficult moments. But there were also joy, community, and tremendous learning.
Because when we place our talents at the service of others, God always brings something good from them. And that—more than any score, trophy, or championship title—was the true victory of this tournament.
There is only one thing left to say following the tournament: Dear team, we did it! The glory always belongs to God.
Magdiel Argueta serves as coordinator of young adult ministry for the Diocese of Knoxville Office of Youth, Young Adult, and Pastoral Juvenil.