San Antonio - The Trinity Tigers men's soccer team is currently on a Spring Break journey to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, known as the “Spiritual Home of World Football.”

Guided by Tigers head Coach Paul McGinlay, and assistant Coach Edward Cartee , the Trinity players are taking on some of the best club teams in the soccer-savvy country of Brazil. Teams are allowed to take an international trip every three years, according to NCAA rules.

Oh, there will be some time for sightseeing on Copacabana Beach, but, that's another story!

It is generally all business for the Tigers, who will definitely remember the experience for many years to come.

“Having been on this trip myself as a senior,” says Coach Cartee '09, a former Tiger soccer standout, “ I can testify that it is the experience of a lifetime. I am so blessed and thrilled to have the opportunity to go again, and I'm very excited for the boys, because they have no idea what an incredible week they are in for!”

The soccer games between the Tigers and Brazil's best were scheduled for March 11, 13 and 15. Trinity's opponents on the slate are the under-20 squads of Fluminense, Botafogo, and Flamengo. This collection of teams includes three of the top four clubs in Rio.

It will be a homecoming for two of the three Brazilian players on the Tiger team, Yuri Ribeiro and Victor Araujo, who will match up against their countrymen.

Trinity's contingent to “The River of January,” translated from Portuguese, is carrying 150 pairs of extra shoes. This much-needed apparel will be distributed to youngsters who reside in the favelas, also known as “shanty towns.”

The Tigers' schedule also includes attending the Rio Cup Final between Botafogo and Vasco de Gama, the fourth-ranked major pro club team in Rio. Trinity's players and coaches will also dine at the Botafogo's youth academy training facility's cafeteria.

 All are excited to meet up with Trinity graduate Chris Gaffney '92, who was captain of Coach McGinlay's first soccer team. Gaffney is professor of geography at the University of North Carolina. He is currently living and conducting research in Brazil. Gaffney is the author of “Temples of the Earthbound Gods,” about famous soccer stadia in Brazil and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Sightseeing trips will include treks to Sugarloaf Mountain, Corcovado Mountain, the Christ the Redeemer statue, and a boat tour of tropical islands.

Oh, and a visit to Copacabana Beach will find the Tigers playing soccer with the locals!

The Tigers made their 11th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Playoffs, and won their 15th Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship during the 2012 campaign.

 Coach McGinlay recently completed his 22nd year at the Tigers helm, and has won 369 games as head coach. He stands among the national coaching leaders in both victories and winning percentage.