While it wasn’t on my radar, 2023 is starting with a slight feeling of being behind the proverbial 8-ball. As we near the end of the month of January there is a growing list of chaplain candidates waiting for interviews and processing for part of Soccer Chaplains United. For some chaplain candidates, they are already in place and in position and might simply be considered “transfers.” The early encouragement from the Pro Soccer Chaplains Association is for independent and unaffiliated chaplains to align with a founding organization. For some of those chaplains, we are a better fit than others.
But beyond what we might call “transfer growth” has been the numerical growth of the game as well as the increase in popularity which might be evidenced by last year’s World Cup viewership numbers in the U.S. and around the world. 2023 will be no different at the Women’s World Cup, co-hosted in New Zealand and Australia, will likely provide impetus for the launching of a new, 2nd division league on the women’s side of the game here in 2024. Estimations have some 40 or so teams slated to begin play in 2024.
Below the 1st and 2nd divisions of pro-soccer in North America there are other levels of the game. These teams and organizations are still very fluid — sometimes pressing pause on operations for a season due to finances or other reasons; however, many are recovering from 2020 and 2021’s pandemic crunch and beginning to build vibrant organizations again.
Current development opportunities for Soccer Chaplains United (and other member groups of the PSCA) abound. Here are the professional team opportunities that we are focusing on for the short-term future:
- Huntsville City FC — an MLS Next Pro franchise attached to Nashville SC
- El Paso Locomotive FC — a USL-Championship franchise where we have had a chaplain in the past
- New Mexico United — adding two team members to share the duties between the USL-Championship side and their growing academy
- Colorado Rapids — adding an additional chaplain for academy and organizational cover
- West Virginia — an opportunity for a USL-League two team and local club
- Union Omaha — seeking candidates
If you or someone you know might be a good fit or consideration for serving as a volunteer chaplain in professional soccer, please reach out to us at info@soccerchaplainunited.org or check out our CHAPLAINCY page for more information on Soccer Chaplains United requirements and processes.
Soccer Chaplains United is non-profit, 501(c)3 and depends upon the financial support of individual donors and church partners to carry out our work of chaplaincy service across all levels of soccer. Our chaplains are not employed or paid by any of the clubs that we serve. Check out our Donation Page with all the different options. Or, simply click the PushPay (the big P or give tab) link below to make a secure, online, tax-deductible gift, or mail a donation to Soccer Chaplains United, PO Box 102081, Denver, CO 80250.
