U.S. Army Garrison Italy secures 3-0 victory over Swiss Guards in annual soccer matchup

VICENZA, Italy - Soldiers from U.S. Army Garrison Italy won the Vatican Cup soccer match Nov. 20 against the Swiss Guard - the first time since 2019 that the American team won in Rome.

In all, 17 Soldiers from Vicenza and two U.S. Air Force airmen from Camp Darby took part in the Rome trip, that included cultural exposure as well as sport. Most of them are members of USAG Italy's U.S. Army Garrison Italy's Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program - the U.S. Army's 2024 BOSS program of the year.

During the evening match, Command Sgt. Maj. Ricardo Moreno, USAG Italy's senior enlisted leader, scored first, followed by a goal from Sgt. Kevin Navas who was assisted by Pfc. Adam Thorndike. Later, Navas assisted Pfc. Kyle Hofer, who scored the third goal.

"The team continued to perform well throughout, securing the victory," Moreno said.

The Vatican Cup began more than a decade ago when Claudio Adamo, a retired garrison Directorate of Public Works employee, collaborated with Fabio Bertoluzzi a Swiss Guard friend, to match up Swiss Guards and U.S. Army Soldiers. During that time, the Vatican guards won most of the annual matchups. In August 2023, the Swiss Guards played the U.S. Soldiers at Caserma Ederle and lost.

In 1924, the Swiss Guard founded the football team, FC Guardia, so they are celebrating their 100th anniversary this year. They presented USAG Italy a T-shirt commemorating their centennial.

Staff Sgt. Benson Augustin, a supply noncommissioned officer from 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, was with the team when they last won five years ago. Back then, as a specialist, he was a forward on the team. Moving to another duty station, Augustin returned four months ago and was glad to be back in Rome with the team, he said.

"They said we hadn't won since I left, so I was a wanted to try and help," Augustin said.

Some of the U.S. players, like Augustin who is from Haiti, grew up playing soccer outside the U.S. - a factor that the Swiss Guards were not expecting when facing a group of American Soldiers.

Augustin, who played center back this time, said the Swiss Guards came out hard, playing to their home field advantage and using five substitute players. The Army team had just one sub and found themselves getting tired in the first 10 minutes, he said.

But a few position changes and Moreno's score gave the Americans momentum.

"We were moving the ball around and we scored one goal," Augustin said. "I had said to our team, if we score first, we are not going to lose."

Before the game, the Americans visited the Swiss Guards' barracks and armory. They ate lunch at the Swiss Guard Barracks, giving Soldiers a chance to interact with Swiss Guards and learn about their history and role at the Vatican. The Pontifical Swiss Guard, known as the world's smallest army, have been guarding Popes and the Apostolic Palace since 1506. There are approximately 130 Swiss soldiers tasked with protecting the Pope.

The took part in a mass at the Swiss Guard chapel, toured St. Peter's Basilica and visited the Sistine Chapel , giving troops a chance to admire the artwork, architecture, and history of one of the most iconic sites in the world.

Overall, the BOSS event at the Vatican was a great success, providing our Soldiers and Airmen with unique cultural, spiritual, and recreational experiences, Moreno said.

"It was a valuable opportunity to strengthen relationships with the Swiss Guards and create lasting memories for everyone involved," Moreno said. "The experience was both enriching and enjoyable for all involved."

Cathy Garcia, the BOSS representative from the garrison Directorate of Families, Morale, Welfare and Recreation, set up the trip. In June, Garcia earned honors as the BOSS Advisor of the Year, also known as the Fetus Edwards Award. Her efforts on the Rome trip did not go unnoticed.

"It's a good experience," Augustin said. In 2019, it wasn't this organized. She really did a good job."

The USAG Italy soccer included Coach Raul Vargas-Romero, Team Captain/ Sgt. Kevin Alejandro Navas #10, Goalie/ Spc. Jair Campos-Ramirez #51, Pfc. Adam Thorndike #11, Pfc. Kyle Hofer #15, Staff Sgt. Benson Augustin #5, Sgt. 1st Class Jon Nicolas #33, Sgt. 1st Class Kristin Belga #16, Capt. Kallie Holte #9, Command Sgt. Maj. Ricardo Moreno #7 , and Senior Airman Dominic Goehmann #24.

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