From the Touchline

I recently had occasion to visit Cambridge, England and while I was there, I was interested to learn a unique piece of football history. Apparently, the first known instance of codifying (or writing down) the rules of association football happened in Cambridge. In 1848, a group of Cambridge University students wrote out a set of 11 rules. They nailed these to the trees surrounding Parker’s Piece,...

I recently had occasion to visit Cambridge, England and while I was there, I was interested to learn a unique piece of football history. Apparently, the first known instance of codifying (or writing down) the rules of association football (or, what we Yanks call soccer) happened in Cambridge. In 1848, a group of Cambridge University students wrote out a set of 11 rules. They nailed these to the tr...

I recently had occasion to visit Cambridge, England and while I was there, I was interested to learn a unique piece of football history. Apparently, the first known instance of codifying (or writing down) the rules of association football (or, what we Yanks call soccer) happened in Cambridge. In 1848, a group of Cambridge University students wrote out a set of 11 rules. They nailed these to the tr...

I recently had occasion to visit Cambridge, England and while I was there, I was interested to learn a unique piece of football history. Apparently, the first known instance of codifying (or writing down) the rules of association football (or, what we Yanks call soccer) happened in Cambridge. In 1848, a group of Cambridge University students wrote out a set of 11 rules. They nailed these to the tr...

I recently had occasion to visit Cambridge, England and while I was there, I was interested to learn a unique piece of football history. Apparently, the first known instance of codifying (or writing down) the rules of association football (or, what we Yanks call soccer) happened in Cambridge. In 1848, a group of Cambridge University students wrote out a set of 11 rules. They nailed these to the tr...

I recently had occasion to visit Cambridge, England and while I was there, I was interested to learn a unique piece of football history. Apparently, the first known instance of codifying (or writing down) the rules of association football (or, what we Yanks call soccer) happened in Cambridge. In 1848, a group of Cambridge University students wrote out a set of 11 rules. They nailed these to the tr...

I recently had occasion to visit Cambridge, England and while I was there, I was interested to learn a unique piece of football history. Apparently, the first known instance of codifying (or writing down) the rules of association football (or, what we Yanks call soccer) happened in Cambridge. In 1848, a group of Cambridge University students wrote out a set of 11 rules. They nailed these to the tr...

I recently had occasion to visit Cambridge, England and while I was there, I was interested to learn a unique piece of football history. Apparently, the first known instance of codifying (or writing down) the rules of association football (or, what we Yanks call soccer) happened in Cambridge. In 1848, a group of Cambridge University students wrote out a set of 11 rules. They nailed these to the tr...

My interview with Chattanooga FC Head Coach Rod Underwood comes to a close today in part 4 of 4. Today, we get to hear Rod sharing about his personal life mission statement and how that impacts the decisions he makes — as husband, father, coach, and man. Rod shares about how his life was impacted after coaching with the Cleveland City Stars and how that led him to craft and develop a mission state...

As Head Coach of Chattanooga FC (NISA), Rod Underwood , has had quite a journey in coming to lead the team this past year. Last week’s podcast we learned about some of the ups and downs of being in football, including being out of the professional coaching side of the game from few years and really searching for that next opportunity. Today, on the Soccer Chaplains United podcast, From the T...

Rod Underwood , former professional soccer player and current head coach of Chattanooga FC (NISA) joins the podcast today to share more about his life in soccer and his development as a coach for the beautiful game. Today, on the Soccer Chaplains United podcast, From the Touchline , in part two of a four part series, Rod shares about his transition from being a professional player to becoming coac...

Rod Underwood is the head coach of Chattanooga FC which plays in the NISA (National Independent Soccer Association) – part of the third tier of professional soccer in the United States. Rod also serves on Soccer Chaplains United’s Board of Directors. A few weeks ago, as part of one of our board meetings, Rod shared with the board his personal life mission statement and I was encouraged...

We reach the end of episode five and lesson number 40 in our Lessons from Lasso series. Coach Lasso is saying “goodbye” to Michelle, his wife, while the two are standing out in the rain. It’s a tearful moment, because Lasso is also saying goodbye in another sense — relationally and maritally. It’s at this point that Lasso is mad at himself — he once promised himself he woul...

Our next Lessons from Lasso episode we see Coach Lasso and Coach Beard pontificate on the seeming “change” of tone, although not a change of the surly word that the fans are chanting post-game. Coach Lasso makes a time-reference — the 80’s, when words meant the opposite of what was being said. How ought one to cope with the shifting sands of change — whether it’s found in 80’s li...

Lesson 38 in our Lessons from Lasso series and AFC Richmond is in an interesting place. It’s halftime. They’ve just come back from being down 2 goals to tie the game 2-2. However, Coach Lasso has benched their star striker, Jamie Tartt, not because of injury or strategy, but because of his arrogance and audacity — just plain selfishness. The tension in the locker room shows just how fa...

Lesson 37 and we see Higgins rise to the top as he shares with Coach Lasso and Co. an insightful word about marriage and relationships —  Being with the right person makes tough times easy . Lasso, in pain around what is happening with his wife, Michelle, and the impending trouble that their marriage is in, invites Higgins into the inner sanctum to give his “take.” And Higgins, wi...

It’s not long into episode five, and we gain more insight into Coach Lasso’s marriage to Michelle and the difficulties that the couple are facing. Lasso shares with the coaching staff that he’s taken this position (some 4,438 miles away) in order to “give a little space” in his marriage to his wife. Giving a little space is sometimes the wisest counsel that a couple,...

We start episode five, season one and Coach Lasso makes the comment, “It feels good to laugh.” Lasso has just been opening up to Rebecca about his marital issues and some of the struggle its been to try and preserve the marriage. His joke about couple’s therapy breaks some of the tension he feels and reveals the depth of hurt and pain in the same moment. Perhaps you have heard it...

Sorry — it could be due to travel, work, or other commitments, but we just couldn’t get the show produced for today. Don’t give up on us yet! Listen to a past podcast, or, better yet — write us a review on your favorite podcast distribution platform. Thanks for being a faithful listener and follower, we don’t take it lightly! From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10...

We finally come to the end of episode four, season one and we see Coach Lasso and Coach Beard walking home after the gala. Beard is a mess — his girlfriend has dumped him. He put the “game” (of chess) before the dame, and it seems like this isn’t the first time. In today’s “Lessons from Lasso,” we talk about first things — and how when we get our priorities wron...

Keeley and Jamie are at the end. There’s been unfaithfulness in the relationship and Keeley comes to grips with Rebecca’s earlier words of wisdom to ask about the place of accountability in a relationship. “Being accountable matters” she tells Jamie before telling him their relationship is over. In today’s “Lessons from Lasso,” we talk about accountability...

The villainous Rupert Manion seems like he’s gotten away with murder, yet again. The swaggering millionaire appears to be the hero as he pulls out a check for 1 million pounds to help the charity benefit achieve its goals — does anyone see him for who he truly is? Lasso, does. In today’s “Lessons from Lasso,” we talk about what it means to see people as they really are and...

What the heck is an NFT? What about an NIL? Do you know? Should we care? Well, today, on the From the Touchline podcast, we dive into a new world where many things seem to be spelled out in three letters or less! For those that don’t know, an NFT is a non-fungible token and NIL stands for Name, Image, and Likeness — these are two hot topics right now in sport, and especially in soccer. The t...

What happens when we run into conflict? Do we avoid it? Or, face it head on? Well, Coach Lasso attempts to bridge the gap that continues to grow amongst the team by bringing together his two leaders — the youthful, Jamie Tartt and the veteran, Roy Kent for a little “parent trap” conversation. In today’s “Lessons from Lasso,” we talk about conflict resolution. Conflict...

Ted Lasso goes looking for divorcée owner Rebecca to ask her a question during the fundraising gala — only to find that she’s alone in the back alley and on the verge of tears…Rupert Manion, her ex- has shown up unannounced and “stolen the show” with his arrogant bravado. His presence and words to Rebecca remind her of the abuses suffered in the past and the threat that Rup...