Catholics score at Real Salt Lake Faith & Family Night

Intermountain Catholic

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The Martinez family of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus Parish are among those who will attend the Sept. 4 Faith & Family Night at Real Salt Lake.

SALT LAKE CITY —When Real Salt Lake squares off against the New York Red Bulls on Sept. 4 at Rio Tinto Stadium, Bishop John C. Wester will be leading a host of Catholics cheering for the home team during the Faith & Family Night event.

"New York just signed two World Cup stars from France and Mexico, so ... they’re looking at [tickets] selling out," said Ray Lopez, Knights of Columbus state deputy.

The Catholic presence will be seen not only when Bishop Wester tosses the coin to start the game but also with the Knights of Columbus, who will sponsor a youth soccer challenge before the game and form the Color Guard. Sections of the stands will be reserved for Catholics with discounted tickets, as well.

Among those at the game will be Joseph and Maxine Martinez and their children. Joseph and John, the youngest Martinez child, are both Fourth Degree Knights and John is the Grand Knight for St. Therese Parish. Maxine played soccer when she was younger and now is a huge fan of Real Salt Lake. Joseph and Maxine coached recreational league soccer for six years when their oldest child began playing recreational soccer at the age of 5. John played goal keeper for the Hillcrest High School Huskies and also as a freshman for Westminster College. Juanita, the middle child, recently began playing in a recreational league as her brothers do. John and his older brother, Joe, both have season tickets for Real Salt Lake, as well.

"Now it’s a big family affair," Joseph said, with the siblings supporting each other in league play and going to Real Salt Lake games together when possible.

The Faith & Family Night will be great, Maxine said. "Just to be able to get the Catholics out there and support the Real Salt Lake Team, and to have the bishop there…If it has to do with soccer I’ll be all over it."

Having the Knights’ soccer challenge during the Real Salt Lake Faith & Family Night "seemed like a natural fit," Lopez said. "Any boy or girl who wants to come over and kick a soccer ball is welcome to be over there. We’d be more than happy to have them."

The soccer challenge, for boys and girls ages 10 to 14, will begin at 3 p.m. and run until game time. This free, non-competitive event will be judged on how well the ball is kicked into the net. Registration will be at the event. The game will begin at 7 p.m. For special discounted tickets, call 801-727-2853 and mention Knights of Columbus.