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Saturday night saw the collision of hopes and dreams as the United Soccer League – Championship division ended the regular season. Going into the night, three of the six teams served by Soccer Chaplains United were still vying for a playoff spot — with El Paso Locomotive, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, and Memphis 901 FC all having secured a spot already. Rio Grande Valley Toros FC were the only ones to succeed – at the cost of New Mexico United. The Tacoma Defiance needed a lot of help (win their game and have some other results go their way) which didn’t happen.

In spite of the Defiance losing out, Chaplain Jubal McDaniel described the team as playing with a lot of heart and ending the season with a strong performance. Chaplain McDaniel, in his first season with the club, created a unique memento (photo below) for each athlete and staff member to remember the year.

Meanwhile, Chaplain Isidro Piña and the RGV Toros playoff joy has been somewhat tempered by the recent auto accident for their goalkeeping coach, Arturo Sanchez. Please pray for Arturo and his family as he recovers.

For New Mexico United, this is the first year in its short, three-year existence that is misses out on the playoffs. Something not lost on Chaplain Clint Moore, as he sees NMU as much of the heart and soul of sport in the state.

NMU ended their last home game on an high note with an electrified, sold-out (COVID-limited) stadium of 9000+…even as the fans and the team celebrated, many were on their phones checking the results of the RGV vs. El Paso game…the tension in the fans hearts was real as we celebrated the victory. Each of our three seasons has presented its own unique challenges and the club has risen to reach as an organization with humility, hard work, and diligence. The ethos of the club is improving and IM’ confident that they will continue to attract positive players and outcomes for the league and community for years to come.

Clint Moore, New Mexico United volunteer chaplain

Please pray for the work of the chaplains as they move into playoff and off-season modes.

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