Downtown L.A. World Cup: Loyola vs. Cathedral for regional soccer title

Diego Barahona of L.A. Cathedral scored a goal against Loyola as a freshman in the 2018 regional showdown won by Loyola 2-1. The two teams meet Saturday at Redondo Union.

Columnist

March 6, 2020 9:18 AM PT

Fans of the two downtown Los Angeles Catholic high schools, Loyola and Cathedral, will argue and debate nonstop about who has the best view of downtown L.A. — along with which school has the best soccer program.

Well, bragging rights are definitely up for grabs again in the soccer debate. On Saturday at 4 p.m. at Redondo Union, Loyola will play Cathedral for the Division I Southern California regional championship.

In 2018, they met in a semifinal, and Loyola won 2-1. It was intense, fun and enjoyed by all, and this one should be the same.

Both teams have top programs with dedicated coaching staffs and talented players.

I’m calling their face-off the Downtown L.A. World Cup.

“Two very good schools, very good soccer programs. I know we’re excited,” Cathedral coach Arturo Lopez said.