EDMOND—About 200 spectators gathered on July 4 to watch the ninth Joseph Cup soccer match between team Manasseh and team Ephraim. The tradition began in 2009 after two team captains invited players from their respective countries to form teams, one representing the United States, which descended from the ancient Israelite tribe of Manasseh, and one representing the nations of the British Commonwealth, which descended from the tribe of Ephraim.

A glass trophy engraved with the words “The Joseph Cup” has been the traditional team prize. The game has been played every year since 2009, with the exception of 2017.

Patrick Hogan, who first organized the Joseph Cup, said, “It stuck and has become a tradition. It wasn’t until 2013 that Ephraim was able to field a team strong enough to win, but it was decisive, and it’s been a tight competition since.”

Team Manasseh has taken the trophy in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2018. Team Ephraim won in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

“The opening prayer set the scene for a positive quality game,” said Preaching Elder Gareth Fraser, who organized and officiated the match. “The captains did a good job keeping a consistent flow of positive on-field comments.”

Team Ephraim scored five goals during regulation, including three by Laston Seme. Team Manasseh also had five, with three by Gianni Welsh and two by Justice Brown. With seconds left in regulation and the match seemingly headed to a shoot-out, Adiel Granados delivered a corner kick that Brown headed into the net for the win: Manasseh 6, Ephraim 5.