Podcast

From the Touchline

From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.
Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).

  • From the Touchline

    This upcoming weekend, MLS Next Pro kicks off season three. Today, on the podcast, I am joined by special guests: Jubal McDaniel (chaplain to the Tacoma Defiance and Soccer Chaplains’ United’s very own Pacific Chaplain Manager) and Jonathan Hyde (chaplain to Chattanooga FC). Each of these guys is a volunteer chaplain with Soccer Chaplains United and serving a MLS NEXT Pro team. Today we’ll take a look at the 2024 season that lies ahead as well as some of the unique features and challenges for each of their teams. And because it’s Jonathan’s first time on the pod, we will get in a fun game of Crosses with Rev. From the Touchline is a short-feature (10-15 min) podcast with Rev

  • From the Touchline

    Is the chaplain a team’s good-luck charm? Does the chaplain somehow have some “direct-line connection” to God? What happens when both teams have a chaplain? What happens when the other team doesn’t have a chaplain and they win? What does this say about the chaplain, the team, or about God? We start off the pod with a short little audio clip from my away trip a couple of weeks ago. As I sat with the chaplains watching the game we exchanged some fun little banter and teasing (note: we don't really believe that the Lord hears our prayers over or above anything that isn't in His will or plan or purpose). Sometimes, though in sport, we can become extremely superstitious

  • From the Touchline

    Last week, Major League Soccer (MLS) kicked off — this week, most teams that were on the road are hosting their first home match for 2024. The same is true for the Colorado Rapids (my club) and in today's podcast, I reflect a little bit on the theme and idea of home. A few years ago, I read a wonderful little children's story entitled, The Trip to Panama. In it, two characters, Little Bear and Little Tiger set out to find the "land of their dreams." They end up making a round about circle and end up at home again, but it's in the journey that they undertake that the learn a lot about themselves, about what the "land of

  • From the Touchline

    As a volunteer chaplain entering my 23rd season with the Colorado Rapids, I have come to find an important rhythm to start a season. You might find it strange, but Deuteronomy 20 has become, for me, an important reference point as I bless athletes, coaches, and others involved in the Beautiful Game. If you're not familiar with Deuteronomy 20, in the spring time, the nation of Israel has the priests come out and bless those who will be engaged in defending and fighting for the lands need to sustain the people. As untrained, non-professional soldiers, Israel needed to depend upon God in the face of more powerful opponents and overwhelming odds. They needed to be reminded that God is with

  • From the Touchline

    It's a curious pairing that doesn't happen very often, but this year Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day occur on the same day. For 2024, February 14th will commingle Christian themes of repentance of sin with expressions of love and this may not be as strange together as it might seem at first! If you don't know much about Ash Wednesday, it is the start to the season of Lent. It is the day that kicks off 40 days before Easter (excluding Sundays). Lent is a season characterized by three Christian disciplines that help prepare one's heart to fully celebrate the awesomeness of the resurrection of Jesus. Valentine's Day, too, is an important day. Of course, today, it has been commercialized

  • One of the biggest issues faced by elite footballers is the issue of identity. So much time and energy and investment — emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually — goes into the sport, that it can be difficult when our status or position in the game changes or comes to an end. In today's Lesson From Lasso, we talk about this issue of identity. AFC Richmond's Roy Kent is having an identity crisis. All he knows. All he loves. All he cares about is football — and to imagine life without football, it's overwhelming and daunting. Where ought our identity be? What do we do when our context changes and pieces and parts of our identity with it? Listen as I

  • There will always come a point when we need to have a tough conversation with someone. How do we have the "tough talks" and the "courageous conversations" with people? How do we enter into a place with people where we can bring our best even when they are faced with their worst? In today's Lesson From Lasso, we see AFC Richmond's Roy Kent faced with a first in his career — being benched, the end of his career on the horizon. It's a tough task that Coach Lasso is largely unsuccessful at and Kili is a little better in her approach. I share from a few places in scripture that I think can help us to have the tough conversation moments

  • Forgiveness. It's massive when we receive forgiveness for something we've said or something that we've done. It can be like a massive weight comes off of our proverbial shoulders. But how many times should we forgive a person? Once, twice, seven times? In today's Lesson From Lasso, we quickly examine a parable that Jesus told about a servant who failed to forgive. He failed to receive the forgiveness that he was granted after being forgiven a massive cancelation of debt. Instead he turned around and was vengeful and spiteful with others. It give some insight into why Ted Lasso is able to forgive Rebecca for what she's just confessed and come clean about. Listen to the podcast to find out

  • Often times we confuse a simple apology with repentance. Repentance though is a process, a journey. It involves a "re-orienting" of one's posture and position and going in the opposite (and right) direction. We see Rebecca make the long trek from her upstairs owner's office to Ted's coaching office to begin the process of apologizing and repenting. In today's Lesson From Lasso, I reference a parable that Jesus once told about two people — a tax collector and a Pharisee. You can find the story in Luke 18:9-14. this parable acts as our short lesson and illustration on the true nature of a meaningful repentance. Repentance is vital in football — we will always have those who wound and hurt

  • In today's Lesson from Lasso, we look at the work of Kili and Higgins to help Rebecca see that she needs to change. Higgins ends up quitting on the team and leaving his job. Kili, though, hard presses Rebecca to come clean to Ted Lasso. Kili's posture and push of Rebecca is commendable and a lesson actually that is encouraged for Christians. In this lesson, I encourage us to consider the moments and ways that we might need to effectively help someone to "turn" from a destructive path or from sinful or wrong behaviors. Whether you are a coach, an executive, or in a position without power and influence — we are all to work at reconciling and bringing about

  • In today's Lesson from Lasso, I take a look at the issue of revenge. Rebecca, owner of AFC Richmond, is continually seeking the demise of her ex-husbands' beloved club. However, she never seems satisfied or fulfilled with all her attempts and it is eating away at her and destroying others. In this lesson, I take a brief look at how we are to take on others who attack us, accuse us, persecute and try to destroy us. The apostle Paul's words to Christians in Rome offers us a great instruction on how we are to treat others and the other pathways that are away from revenge. Ted Lasso, the immensely popular streaming TV show on Apple TV+ features the antics

  • From the Touchline

    Our final Advent antiphon and our last podcast for the year. O come, O come, Emmanuel — "God with us" is the title and name. First used by Isaiah as he attempts to encourage a king who was faced with pressure for all sides. Emmanuel is now a title that Christians associate with Jesus, as Messiah, as the Son of God who has come and who will come again. On the podcast during this season of Advent we have been exploring themes within a particular 'hymn' that has helped worshippers prepare for Jesus's arrival. Since the 8th century, the Church has been singing the “O” antiphons. An antiphon is a short sentence sung or recited before or after a psalm or

  • From the Touchline

    Christmas is almost here, just a few days remain. Today, we listen and reflect on the sixth and next to last antiphon: O come, Desire of nations... This title for the Messiah, for Jesus, begs the question: is he really the Desire of the nations? We look at the words of Haggai the prophet to learn more. On the podcast during this season of Advent we have been exploring themes within a particular 'hymn' that has helped worshippers prepare for Jesus's arrival. Since the 8th century, the Church has been singing the “O” antiphons. An antiphon is a short sentence sung or recited before or after a psalm or canticle. The “O” antiphons are so named as each line begins

  • From the Touchline

    This week, we can sense and feel that Christmas is drawing nearer. As listen and reflect on the fifth antiphon: O come, thou Daysprings, come and cheer... we look at this unique title that is given to Jesus through the words of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. On the podcast during this season of Advent we have been exploring themes within a particular 'hymn' that has helped worshippers prepare for Jesus's arrival. Since the 8th century, the Church has been singing the “O” antiphons. An antiphon is a short sentence sung or recited before or after a psalm or canticle. The “O” antiphons are so named as each line begins with an “O” — perhaps the most famous

  • From the Touchline

    We continue exploring the Advent Antiphons and the Western church has finally started the season of Advent with the second Sunday upcoming. This week, we look and listen to the fourth antiphon: O come, thou Key of David, come... On the podcast during this season of Advent we have been exploring themes within a particular 'hymn' that has helped worshippers prepare for Jesus's arrival. Since the 8th century, the Church has been singing the “O” antiphons. An antiphon is a short sentence sung or recited before or after a psalm or canticle. The “O” antiphons are so named as each line begins with an “O” — perhaps the most famous of these are the words and verse which begins: O

  • From the Touchline

    For the past few weeks, we've been exploring the Advent Antiphons. This week, we look and listen to the third antiphon: O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free... During this time of year (as we approach Christmas), for the podcast we will look at a particular 'hymn' that has helped worshippers prepare for Jesus's arrival. Since the 8th century, the Church has been singing the “O” antiphons. An antiphon is a short sentence sung or recited before or after a psalm or canticle. The “O” antiphons are so named as each line begins with an “O” — perhaps the most famous of these are the words and verse which begins: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Altogether, there are 7 antiphons.

  • From the Touchline

    November 15 marks the beginning of Orthodox and Celtic Christian observances of the season of Advent. 40 days before Christmas — likely the sights and sounds of the season are already visible; however, the consumeristic nature of this time of year might have you seeing more than just holiday red. The truth is, we are waiting for more than a present or gift. We await a Messiah, a Savior. It is Jesus Christ, the Lord. During the season, and on the podcast for the next few weeks, we will look at a particular 'hymn' that has helped worshippers prepare for Jesus's arrival. Since the 8th century, the Church has been singing the “O” antiphons. An antiphon is a short sentence

  • From the Touchline

    November 15 marks the beginning of Orthodox and Celtic Christian observances of the season of Advent. 40 days before Christmas — likely the sights and sounds of the season are already visible; however, the consumeristic nature of this time of year might have you seeing more than just holiday red. The truth is, we are waiting for more than a present or gift. We await a Messiah, a Savior. It is Jesus Christ, the Lord. During the season, and on the podcast for the next few weeks, we will look at a particular 'hymn' that has helped worshippers prepare for Jesus's arrival. Since the 8th century, the Church has been singing the “O” antiphons. An antiphon is a short sentence

  • From the Touchline

    Every year around the middle of November, I talk about Saint Martin. Martin (as you hopefully know) is the patron saint of France and of chaplaincy and it's from his life and story that we understand and see the origins of chaplaincy. In sports and especially in football (soccer), these days, there is more and more attention on "coaching trees." These are a bit of historical record and a tracing of different coaching influence and "family" tree kind of connections. When did a particular philosophy emerge? Who developed a style of play or formation? And whom has been an influencer or had a following and disciples? On today's episode of From the Touchline, I (Rev Brad) take a look at

  • From the Touchline

    One year on from our first publication and we've revised and republished our first devotional. Last year, for the 2022 FIFA Men's World Cup, Soccer Chaplains United published an 8-week devotional designed to cover Advent and Christmas and the World Cup, all at the same time. The original devotional which is still available on Amazon (and in Spanish and Portuguese) went through some slight revisions to make the book and writing more timeless and more useful for other 8-week periods in a given season. The book title and cover art has been changed. You can find it on Amazon under the title The Light is Coming | A Soccer Devotional. On today's episode of From the Touchline, Rev Brad talks

  • From the Touchline

    The 2023 Major League Soccer playoffs begin today with the 8th and 9th seed play-in games and even though Colorado Rapids and the Portland Timbers are out of the playoffs, there is plenty to talk about. Or, at least when you get Ben, Troy, and Brad together — there's stuff to talk about. On today's episode of From the Touchline, the three MLS chaplains talk about some of the highlights from this past season with their teams and the clubs that they serve. Troy Ready takes his first ever shot at Crosses with Rev — and it goes horribly wrong, no thanks to spotty internet in the Pacific Northwest. Ben gets inspired and writes two songs through the power of

  • From the Touchline

    The USL-Championship is the second division of professional soccer in the United States and, currently, Soccer Chaplains United's largest contingent of chaplains (9 of 28) serving teams in this league. With the playoffs set to start this next weekend, I've invited the USL-C chaplains on the podcast today to give a quick look back at the 2023 season and preview the playoffs ahead. On this episode of From the Touchline, Kurt Trempert shares some sad news with us. Robert Briggs (also known as "Briggsy") will have his first ever shot at Crosses with Rev — the little game I like to play with podcast guests. So tune in and listen as we talk about USL playoff soccer today on the

  • From the Touchline

    October is Pastor and Ministry Appreciation month and today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I (Brad) want to take a minute (well a lot of minutes) and share about the special people that make up Soccer Chaplains United. We now have a team of 28 people who are working and serving as chaplains to the sport of soccer and each of them comes with a special set of gifts and talents and contributions that they make to Soccer Chaplains United and the teams that they serve. I wish I was able to personally thank them over and over again for representing Jesus to the people of soccer as wonderfully as they do, but at least for today — I

  • In this new series entitled, The Technical Area, Rev Brad shares some specific applications for certain biblical passages that help apply faith to football in simple, practical ways. Today's lesson, is on Mark 3:13-19. Here, Jesus is selecting, from amongst many people who are following him, a select twelve: the Apostles. These are going to be men who live with Jesus, travel with Jesus, learn from Jesus, and go out preaching and teaching and with authority from Jesus. The intentionality with which Jesus selects the Twelve is akin to a manager choosing the starting eleven for match day. In this episode, Selecting Your Starting 11, Rev Brad examines Jesus' actions here as a bit of a template for a person

  • From the Touchline

    The MLS Next Pro regular season has come to a close and today, on the podcast, I am joined by Jubal McDaniel (Tacoma Defiance) and Kevin Hasenack (Colorado Rapids 2). We take a look back at the 2023 season and look ahead to the playoffs. The chaplains share some of the highlights and challenges from the year and how they think it might end up for their teams. We all finish with a time of prayer for the MLS Next Pro teams as the get started this next week on the playoffs. Please note: this podcast was recorded before the actual selection stage. MLS Next Pro teams are able to choose their opponents with a high enough seed. From the

  • In a new series entitled, The Technical Area, Rev Brad shares some specific applications for certain biblical passages that help apply faith to football in simple, practical ways. Today's lesson, is on Luke 13:6-9. Here, Jesus shares a parable with his disciples and thousands of others crowded around. Contextually, he's relating this into repentance and getting relationships right. The parable that Jesus shares has some practical applications as we sometime will have to deal with damaged, diseased, or dying kinds of relationships in our lives — whether on the pitch, in the locker room, or at home. In this episode, Working on Flourishing, Rev Brad shares some insights for the text that he often shares with people in soccer as

  • In this installment of our Lessons from Lasso series, we see Coach Lasso taking on Rupert Manion in a game of darts at the local pub. At stake? The ability to set the lineup if Manion wins or staying away from the owners box if Lasso wins. Just before his last throws and eventual win, he tells a story of a quote he came across, "Be curious, not judgmental." But as Christians, aren't we supposed to be just a little judgmental? In this lesson, I take a look at how Christians need to balance curiosity and judgement. I Corinthians 5:12-13 and the apostle Paul help gives us a framework for learning how and when we ought to judge as Christians.

  • Season 1, Episode 8 and our 54th Lesson from Lasso, we examine our good friend, Danny Rojas. His positive, bubbly spirit is infectious and he has just shared with Kili that he wants to get into business giving away joy for free. Seem impossible? For some yes, but for those that follow Jesus, joy is part of our experience, even in times of difficulty. Jesus promises his joy — a complete joy coming into the lives of his followers and friends as they stay rooted and connected into Jesus and his love. Joy is something, too, that God experiences. Listen to the podcast today, to learn more about getting into business with joy. Ted Lasso, the immensely popular streaming TV

  • Today, Lesson #53, we take a brief look at John Wooden's Pyramid of Success. What does it take to build a successful enterprise? Team? Person? The late John Wooden was a successful basketball coach who was also a life-long learner. He looked to build and develop the character and person of the athletes that he coached and this led him to building out a "Pyramid of Success." Whether you agree with Wooden's attributes and their arrangement, it can be a helpful exercise to look into some of the different characteristics and to ask whether those are part of your make-up and character or whether they might be developed more fully in your life. If you're an executive or coach who

  • Unity is important in football. Whether in the locker room or the board room, a unified group is what is needed to achieve the goals and aspirations that lie before a football club. But more than just football, it's important to have a group of people around us that can celebrate our wins and comfort us in our losses, too. For Coach Ted Lasso, the "Diamond Dogs" represent a group of peers that can help Lasso see things about himself that he cannot see. We all need some "Diamond Dogs" in our lives. Psalm 133 speaks to a group of people living in unity. Where is unity in your life? Whom can you go to in a time of trouble

  • The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup is soon to wrap up. The From the Touchline podcast has felt a little different the past few weeks as we've been going through Soccer Chaplains United's new devotional book, Five Women You Meet in Faith and Football with a look at the lives of five women who appear in Jesus' lineage — Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. In this final week, we meet Mary. One of the wonderful attributes of Mary is that she is receptive to the news that the angel brings her. There would be great adversity with being pregnant outside of marriage for her — but she responds to this news in a wonderful way and sets an example for

  • As we celebrate the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, the From the Touchline podcast feels a little different. We've been going through Soccer Chaplains United's new devotional book, Five Women You Meet in Faith and Football. This five-week, daily devotional looks at the lives of five women who appear in Jesus' lineage — Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. This week, we meet Bathsheba. The author of II Samuel 11 describes her as "exceedingly" beautiful. Sometimes we don't feel beautiful. I know — I was ashamed of my body type and size for many years of life. Footballers, too, often have many self-image issues that they have to deal with. Some are internal and some are external. Today, we look

  • As we celebrate the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup for the next few weeks, the From the Touchline podcast will feel a little different. It will feature a devotional reading from Soccer Chaplains United's new devotional book, Five Women You Meet in Faith and Football. This five-week, daily devotional looks at the lives of five women who appear in Jesus' lineage — Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. This week, we look at Ruth, specifically at how hard Ruth works. Ruth has a great work ethic. So much so, that she likely puts some of the locals to shame. Footballers put in a lot of hard work — but those that have a good work ethic tend to rise to

  • As we celebrate the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup that is being co-hosted by Australia and New Zeland for the next few weeks, the From the Touchline podcast will feel a little different. It will feature a devotional reading from Soccer Chaplains United's new devotional book, Five Women You Meet in Faith and Football. This five-week, daily devotional looks at the lives of five women who appear in Jesus' lineage — Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. This week, we look at Rahab. Rahab is brave. In the face of extreme opposition and high stakes, she hides the spies and sends the king and his soldiers on a wild-goos chase. As a footballer, are you brave? On the pitch? Off

  • The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup kicks off today! We wanted to share about the new Soccer Chaplains United devotional book, Five Women You Meet in Faith and Football. This five-week, daily devotional looks at the lives of five women who appear in Jesus' lineage — Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. We encourage you to get a copy (ebook or print) of the book and read it throughout the 5 weeks of the tournament. Click here to get a copy of Five Women You Meet In Faith and Football. From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of

  • We are celebrating the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup being co-hosted by Australia and New Zeland. For the next five weeks, the podcast will feature a devotional reading from Soccer Chaplains United's new devotional book, Five Women You Meet in Faith and Football. This five-week, daily devotional looks at the lives of five women who appear in Jesus' lineage — Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. This week, we look at Tamar. And, specifically, we look at the side of her that displayed a brilliant tactician (Day 3). Have you ever thought about how crafty Tamar needed to be in order to see justice happen? Well, that's just part of our consideration for today's podcast. Listen to hear and reflect

  • The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup kicks off in 1 week! We wanted to share about the new Soccer Chaplains United devotional book, Five Women You Meet in Faith and Football. This five-week, daily devotional looks at the lives of five women who appear in Jesus' lineage — Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. We encourage you to get a copy (ebook or print) of the book before the start of the tournament. Click here to get a copy of Five Women You Meet In Faith and Football. From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League

  • In today's Lesson from Lasso we watch AFC Richmond Owner, Rebecca, comforting and consoling Coach Ted Lasso outside of the karaoke bar where he's having a panic attack. We know Rebecca has her own relationship pain and its from this pain that she's able to help Ted "bear up" under the hurt of divorce. Henri Nouwen, the Dutch Catholic priest, uses the term "Wounded Healer" in his book entitled, The Wounded Healer, of several years ago. In it he describes that the starting point for helping others comes from our own pain and loss. We are all called to be wounded healers. It's something that the Apostle Paul writes about in II Corinthians 1:3-7. Listen to the podcast today, to

  • The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup kicks off in 2 weeks! We wanted to share about the new Soccer Chaplains United devotional book, Five Women You Meet in Faith and Football. This five-week, daily devotional looks at the lives of five women who appear in Jesus' lineage — Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. We encourage you to get a copy (ebook or print) of the book before the start of the tournament. Click here to get a copy of Five Women You Meet In Faith and Football. From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League

  • Today's Lesson from Lasso is a bit of a milestone, Lesson 50 and it might sound familiar — truth-telling. We talked about it way back in lesson 27 (originally airing April 6, 2022). But that kind of truth-telling was the soft, gentle, and compassionate type. You know the moments — letting someone know they have food in their teeth or that their breath might need a little bit of freshening up. Today, in this Lesson from Lasso, we watch as "Nate the Great" delivers the pre-game talk to the AFC Richmond team and calls out some of the players for their lack of drive and spirit (with some not so gentle speech). There are times when courageous truth-telling is called for!

  • Today, we get into Episode 7, Season 1 and Lesson 49 in our Lessons from Lasso series. The scene fixates on Coach Lasso as he downs a couple of whiskies from the mini-bar in an effort to anesthetize himself from the emotional pain of taking the final steps in signing divorce papers — an ultimate sign of divorce. Lasso isn't the only one in the episode who is numbing the dark parts of his soul — others use language, sex, and a whole host of other means to "cover" the deep pain that they feel. Today, in this Lesson from Lasso, I reference a phrase written by contemporary therapist and author, Brené Brown. In her book, Gifts of Imperfection, she writes

  • Lesson 48 in our Lessons from Lasso series and we're talking about Jamie Tartt getting canceled. Coach Lasso and Beard have done a lot of work to try to reform the prima donna striker and get him to buy into the concept of "team," but just when it seems like they've gotten through to the young man Owner Rebecca Welton undoes the work by agreeing to send Jamie back from his loan agreement to the chagrin of Ted. Today, in this Lesson from Lasso, we look at what happens when we go from arrogance to humility and the different points in between as we look at the biblical life of Joseph. You might know him — he was the one with

  • From the Touchline

    Jared Watts played professional soccer for the Colorado Rapids and Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer. His pathway of coming into pro soccer came through his time spent at IMG Academy and later at Wake Forest University. He had to endure a few injuries and needed to lean on the support of others doing key moments in life. Today, on the Soccer Chaplains United podcast, From the Touchline, is the finale in our three-part series with Jared. He shares more about the work that he is doing today and we get in a fun game of Crosses with Rev. Jared leaves us with a word for parents and grandparents on how they can encourage younger athletes and soccer players today

  • From the Touchline

    Jared Watts played professional soccer career for the Colorado Rapids and Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer. His pathway of coming into pro soccer came through his time spent at IMG Academy and later at Wake Forest University. Today, on the Soccer Chaplains United podcast, From the Touchline, is part two of three in our conversation with Jared. He shares about his ACL injury that happened while he was away from home at IMG and some of the helpful people that were part of his journey including the chaplain and his own grandfather. From the Touchline is a short-feature (10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado

  • From the Touchline

    Jared Watts, also known as “Wattsy,” is a corporate recruiter and he finished his professional soccer career a few years ago after playing for the Colorado Rapids and Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer. In a three-part series, he reflects on some of his journey and we hear about his story which includes time spent at IMG academy in Florida — which back in the day was a special training environment for top soccer players in the US. Today, on the Soccer Chaplains United podcast, From the Touchline, is part one of three in our conversation with Jared. We catch up a little bit and Jared gives us a little bit of insight into what it was like living at IMG

  • From the Touchline

    Wells Thompson is the Founder and CEO of Soccer Resilience. A former professional midfielder, drafted fifth overall by the New England Revolution and played for the Colorado Rapids and Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer, Wells has an incredible testimony. Even though he won the MLS Cup Championship, his career isn't all glitz and glam. Today, on the Soccer Chaplains United podcast, From the Touchline, part three of three in our interview. Wells talks more about the night his parents intervened in a powerful way and what might have been. We also end the podcast on a fun and light note as Wells plays a game of Crosses with Rev. From the Touchline is a short-feature (10-15 min) podcast with

  • From the Touchline

    Wells Thompson is the Founder and CEO of Soccer Resilience. A former professional midfielder who played in Major League Soccer, Wells has an amazing testimony. Much of his inspiration and work today comes out of the learning that he has had to do from his own lessons of life before, during, and after a professional soccer career.. Today, on the Soccer Chaplains United podcast, From the Touchline, part two of three in our conversation. Wells shares a deeply vulnerable piece about a retreat that he recently went on and some of the heart and soul work that he did around life and his identity that has been tied into soccer for so long. From the Touchline is a short-feature (10-15

  • From the Touchline

    Wells Thompson is the Founder and CEO of Soccer Resilience. A former professional midfielder who played in Major League Soccer, Wells has a story worth hearing. His work today comes from his own lessons of life that he has learned and continues to learn. Today, on the Soccer Chaplains United podcast, From the Touchline, is part one of three in our conversation with Wells. We catch up a little bit and Wells shares more about the work that Soccer Resilience is doing with young athletes everywhere. Wells also starts to tell some of the parts of his own story. From the Touchline is a short-feature (10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United

  • From the Touchline

    Adam Smith is the Sporting Director of Central Valley Fuego FC. He is a former professional goalkeeper and is, today, a coach — perhaps his most well-known coaching stint back in 2019 leading USL-Championship side Fresno FC to a third place finish in the West. Today, on the Soccer Chaplains United podcast, From the Touchline, in part four (the finale) of our series, Adam talks about his current role at Fuego and also reflects on what it is like to have a relationship with Jesus in the midst of the adversity and challenge that comes with the beautiful game. Adam also gets between the nets for a game of Crosses with Rev in a light-hearted way to end the podcast.

  • From the Touchline

    Adam Smith is the Sporting Director of Central Valley Fuego FC which plays in the United Soccer League (USL) League One - part of the third tier of professional soccer in the United States. Adam has an extensive playing and coaching career that extends all the way back to England where he grew up and his eventual transition to America. Today, on the Soccer Chaplains United podcast, From the Touchline, in part three of our series, Adam talks about his time as manager for Fresno FC. Fresno, a since-shuttered USL-Championship team, was led by Adam to a near top of the table finish in 2019, but with 5 games to go in season, they were told that the team wouldn't

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