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 podcast.
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 Rapids of Major League Soccer.
Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).
Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd,in the Apple and Google store.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/From-the-Touchline-Cover-Art.jpg15001500Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2023-10-18 00:00:002024-07-08 23:47:382023 USL Season Review and Playoff Preview with special guests Aydt, Trempert, and Briggs
The United Soccer League (USL), notably has a number of different teams all throughout the soccer landscape of professional soccer. From representing the second division all the way into the 4th tier (USL 2) and is ever expanding to bring pro soccer to many smaller cities and communities.
With the USL-Championship set to start the league season this weekend we have a number of our Soccer Chaplains United chaplains on the podcast today to give a quick look back at last year and preview of the year to come.
Special to this episode of From the Touchline, today, we have our first ever head to head competition of Crosses with Revthe little game I like to play with podcast guests. So tune in and listen as we talk about USL soccer today on the podcast.
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 Rapids of Major League Soccer.
Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).
Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd,in the Apple and Google store.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/From-the-Touchline-Cover-Art.jpg15001500Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2023-03-08 00:00:002024-07-08 23:50:092023 USL Preview with special guests Greg Aydt, Kurt Trempert, Tate Madizma, and Josh Bailey
Greg Aydt enters into his third season serving as volunteer chaplain for Memphis 901 FC and as part of Soccer Chaplains United. 901 FC, a team that plays second division soccer in the the USL-Championship here in the U.S, is located in Memphis and Greg always has an interesting historical story that he ties into the team and into chaplaincy. Listen today as Greg and I talk about Tom Lee, my disc golf game, and freeze pops of all things. You won’t want to miss it.
I am Rev Brad Kenney, and this is the Soccer Chaplains United podcast, From the Touchline.
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 Soccer.
Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).
Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd,in the Apple and Google store.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Greg-Aydt.jpg500750Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2021-06-02 00:00:002021-06-28 09:39:07Freeze Pops with Greg Aydt
As the United Soccer League (USL) starts to ramp up its season this weekend, soccer across North America will finally be in full-swing. The USL manages the lower divisions of professional soccer in the U.S. and Canada and has many teams in smaller cities and markets. USL-Championship is the top tier of soccer below Major League Soccer (MLS).
Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, Rev Brad is joined by 5 different USL-C chaplains! Robert Briggs, chaplain of Sacramento Republic; Greg Aydt, chaplain to Memphis 901 FC; Kurt Trempert, chaplain to Colorado Springs Switchbacks; Jubal McDaniel, chaplain to the Tacoma Defiance; and Erick Jiménez, chaplain to El Paso Locomotives FC are all on the podcast. Each chaplain shares a little bit about themselves and what lies ahead for their cities and their teams in the 2021 season.
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 Soccer.
Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).
Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd,in the Apple and Google store.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/From-the-Touchline-Cover-Art.jpg15001500Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2021-04-28 00:00:002021-04-20 14:23:39USL with Robert, Kurt, Jubal, Greg and Erick
For second-year, volunteer Memphis 901 FC chaplain, Rev Greg Aydt, it has been a year of challenge. From COVID-19 forcing shutdown and distancing from athletes and coaches, to a late-season firing of the head coach, to supporting many players and staff struggling with the emotional and spiritual toll of social distancing and electronic communication replacing the typical face-to-face support that a chaplain offers. More recently, Memphis 901 FC ended their season out of playoff contention — with a bottom finish (Group G) for their revised USL Championship bracket for 2020.
In addition to the extra difficulties with doing chaplaincy ministry from afar, Greg’s church (Advent Presbyterian) has been without a pastor since late 2019 — so added preaching and church duties — have been par for the course, in addition to Greg’s ministry of pastoring the youth of Advent amidst their own struggles during a time of global pandemic and much national unrest and turmoil.
I was fortunate to get to spend some time with Greg during our latest presbytery meetings, earlier this month. And we were able to get a round of disc golf in (I won, of course) while he was in town.
Chaplain Mike Anderson (a Soccer Chaplains United supporter and friend) gets in a round of disc golf with Greg and myself during lunch of our latest presbytery meetings in Colorado.
Greg is unique in his work with Soccer Chaplains United — he is one of the few chaplains currently working to raise funds for ministry expenditures for the work with Memphis 901 FC through Soccer Chaplains United. Suffice it to say, there just isn’t enough time in the day for the fundraising aspect, as well. In honor of October being pastoral appreciation month, if you would like to make a financial contribution to help Greg and offset his chaplaincy ministry costs for 2020 and ahead for 2021, we encourage you to hit the PushPay button below and select MEMPHIS from the drop-down selectable funds list.
Soccer Chaplains United is non-profit, 501(c)3 and depends upon the financial support of our individual donors and church partners to carry out our work of developing chaplaincy, counseling, and community service across all levels of soccer. Please consider making a contribution today to support Greg and to help us continue growing our work.
Defend Memphis, the motto of United Soccer League – Championship team, Memphis 901 FC, has an interesting history behind it. That motto not only helps characterize the city of Memphis, it can give inspiration to others, as well.
In today’s From the Touchline episode, Rev Brad hosts special guest Rev Greg Aydt, chaplain for Memphis 901 FC. Rev Brad and Rev Greg talk about Greg’s experience for the first year working with Memphis 901 FC, life in the USL- Championship, and how chaplains can offer support for athletes, coaches, and staff when they go through the ups and downs of the game.
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 Soccer. Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).
Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccChaplain,in the Apple and Google store.
This week, I’ve had the special privilege of spending time with Greg Aydt, serving as chaplain with Memphis 901FC, an expansion team with USL-Championship, the second division of professional soccer in the US. Greg has been serving the club since the beginning of the year. It’s not just a new team to Memphis, but a new opportunity for Greg who serves as a pastor at Advent Presbyterian and today passed his examination for ordination in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
Greg and I pose outside Autozone Park, home stadium of Memphis 901 FC.
Memphis 901 FC has captured the hearts of many in the city of Memphis. As a professional soccer team, coming to this city has meant a lot, especially for one of the owners, Tim Howard, for whom Memphis is home. And as soccer continues to grow in the United States and as Memphis begins to grow there is a lot of promise for those involved.
Starting in sports chaplaincy is never an easy task. Many times it can come with a bit of struggle as some have likened it to being “like a ‘stray dog — they either kick you out or start to feed you.'” Chaplains must earn the trust and be winsome in many ways. Often, chaplains must serve and work to demonstrate the value that they bring to a club or organization.
Greg stands ready at a training session — whether to retrieve an errant ball or strike up a conversation with someone injured or struggling.
Chaplains bring an incarnation presence to the teams and organizations that they serve. They are often an extension of love and grace and constancy in a world filled with transition, hurriedness, and challenges for one’s faith and family life. Many, by virtue of their profession, live a nomadic lifestyle — moving from team to team, city to city to ply their trade for as many days as their bodies will allow.
Greg, being prayed over after successfully passing his oral ordination examination. 2019 Presbytery of the West at Advent Presbyterian Church, Cordova, TN
Part of my time and purpose for going to Memphis was to spend time with Greg. To give coaching and insight and to see the specific environment that he is faced with — with all of its challenges and with the different blessings. It is also to learn from Greg — what does he need more of, what does he need less of? And, as the season, and years to come progress, myself and the rest of Soccer Chaplains United will be able to better support Greg and his work with the people that make up Memphis 901 FC.
Pray for Greg. Pray for Memphis. Defend Memphis
Soccer Chaplains United is non-profit, 501(c)3 and we depend upon the financial support of our partners to carry out our work of developing chaplaincy in cities like Memphis with teams like 901 FC. Your support allows us to provide coaching and help further develop chaplaincy. Please consider making a contribution today to help us continue growing our work. Click the PushPay logo below or text soccerchaplains to 77977 to make a secure electronic donation. You can also mail a donation to Soccer Chaplains United, PO Box 102081 Denver, CO 80250.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/IMG_9764.jpg14401920Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2019-05-03 14:20:462019-05-06 14:36:30Walkin’ in Memphis
I am pleased to announce that ahead of the 2019 season, Greg Aydt, has been approved as candidate to serve as chaplain to one of the newest teams in the United Soccer League — Championship. Greg is the Youth Ministries Director at Advent Presbyterian Church and is currently completing his ordination process with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC). You can read more about him on his bio page here.
When we began the search earlier this year, I shared about the opportunity with several people in the EPC, which has a strong presence in the Memphis area. After a number of phone calls and looking at the various candidates, it became clear that Greg would make an excellent choice. As I shared with Greg about the vision of Soccer Chaplains United, he seemed to really grab a hold of our desire to care — not just for the athletes in the locker room, but for the staff and for the whole organization and even the city!
When I asked Greg about his vision and hope for this first season of Memphis, he shared:
As I join 901 FC for their inaugural season, I hope I can serve every level of the organization in small ways so that they will feel cared for and valued as they serve the city of Memphis.
Greg is someone who has a heart and a vision, not just for a soccer team, but for a city, and I am exited to see him grow into this role.
I am excited to start my chaplaincy with the starting of this club. I have been stoked to hear the passion and vision of the ownership and coaching staff for this city. It inspires that same passion in me to love Memphis like God loves Memphis.
As Greg joins Soccer Chaplains United, he brings the number of chaplains currently serving to 12 chaplains and Memphis 901 FC becomes the 5th USL team being served by Soccer Chaplains United. We are still looking to fill a chaplain vacancy in Charlotte with the Charlotte Independence.
Soccer Chaplains United is non-profit, 501(c)3 and depends upon the financial support of our partners to carry out our work of developing chaplaincy, counseling, and community service across all levels of soccer. Please consider making a contribution today to help us continue growing our work.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2018-memphis-901-fc-soccer-logo-design.png321520Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2018-12-03 08:00:022018-11-30 15:46:07Announcing Memphis 901 FC Chaplain
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