VICENZA, Italy – American Soldiers recently traded their combat boots for soccer cleats to play a friendly match against local Italian officials and they won, 3-1.
The March 22 match, held on Caserma Del Din, was more than just a game. It was a testament to the strong community partnership between Soldiers at U.S. Army Garrison Italy and their Italian hosts.
Lt. Col. Sheldon Broedel, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment and Giuliano Stivan, the Mayor of Dueville planned the event under the garrison’s Community Alliance Partnership. The leaders first met in October 2024 and their friendship grew quickly.
"It is an honor to stand alongside our American friends," Stivan said. "Our collaboration today demonstrates that our bond is unbreakable and our shared commitment to unity is stronger than ever."
Broedel echoed that sentiment.
"This is an awesome opportunity," Broedel said, "Sports are a unique way of bringing us together and this is all about building community and building respect and trust between us and our Italian hosts."
Soccer – known as calcio in Italian – is the Italian national sport. Many Italians grow up playing it and nearly all Italians have a favorite soccer team. In all, 13 local mayors and nine other Italian elected officials took part.
The match served as a visible symbol of the enduring friendship and collaboration between the Americans in Vicenza and their Italian neighbors, solidifying their partnership in the Vicenza community.
Staff Sgt. Jerome Townsend, the American team's coach, emphasized the parallels between teamwork on the soccer field and in the military.
"Teamwork in soccer and teamwork in the military is one and the same," Townsend said. "Because we need that cohesion, we need that understanding, we need the camaraderie to accomplish the mission."
Despite the loss, the Italian officials remained enthusiastic about the strengthened relationship. Andrea Nardin, President of the Vicenza Province, expressed excitement for a rematch.
"Even if we lost, today's performance felt like a win for us," Nardin said. "We're eagerly anticipating the rematch next year and the chance to compete once again."
Social Sharing