The beginning of the football season is a wonderful time filled with a mix of emotions. For some footballers, they are still trying to earn a spot on the team or they are in a year when they need a new contract. For some it may be their first season in the sport and for others it can be their last — whether due to age, injury, or another reason for retirement. This prayer is based on Deuteronomy 20:1-4 and Psalm 121. In ancient times, before the nation of Israel would head off to spring time war — a time of securing borders and making sure that the farming lands were secure — the instructions were to call for the

There is perhaps no one else within football, that has as important a role or with whom it is necessary to earn and maintain trust as the athletic trainer or phyiso. It is this role which keeps the athlete fit and healthy. It is the trainer who often takes up the mantle of helping an athlete continue on a path toward recovery after a surgery or struggling through a particular type of injury or strain. The athletic trainer also cooperates to promote and cultivate prevention of physical injury. This prayer is a blessing for the hands of the trainer. It is a prayer of blessing that a chaplain might pray over a trainer at the start of a season or

Today marks my third trip this year to work with our Soccer United Chaplains that are spread throughout the United States. I head to McAllen, Texas to spend a couple of days with our newest chaplain, Isidro Piña, to the Rio Grande Valley Toros FC who play in the United Soccer League. Earlier this year, I spent a few days in Nashville and utilized the first-ever match for Nashville SC (a pre-season match) to do work with our new chaplain there. I also spent a day in Chicago with our chaplain for Moody Bible Institute before heading to Charlotte and using the first match of the season to do some work with our chaplain to the Independence. Why travel? As

It's my pleasure to announce that Alex Avila has joined the Soccer Chaplains United Board of Directors. Alex brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as a counselor in the South-metro Denver-area. As the founder and director of the Relationship Institute of the Rockies, he has a vision and a passion for seeing people overcome personal challenges around counseling in order to get the help they need. When I asked him what he is looking forward to most with joining the board, Alex shared, I am excited to help break down barriers and stigmas and to help Soccer Chaplains United and everyone they serve improve mental health and relationships. Alex's appointment to the Board of Directors will help Soccer Chaplains

Rev Brad Kenney looks briefly at the life of Saint Brendan the Navigator. Brendan's life was one spent exploring the world that God was sending he and others out into, but Brendan begins his journey on top of a mountain praying, to discern if God is really calling him into this amazing journey. Maybe God is calling you to something amazing. Maybe you need to get away to a mountaintop to pray. Rev Brad also reads a portion of Brendan's mountaintop prayer from Celtic Daily Prayer. Inquiries and feedback can be sent to podcast@soccerchaplainsunited.org. From the Touchline is a short-feature (10 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney and occasional guests touching on various issues around faith, family, and football. Check out the Soccer