From the Touchline

Ramadan begins this weekend — the annual fast for Muslims can be challenging for the professional player – especially in certain times of the year. At the start of a season, a player is trying to earn a spot. In the middle of summer, the heat and humidity can severely impact an athletes physiology. Ash Wednesday, which marks the 40-day season of Lent, is also a time where Christian believers...

For many years, I struggled with some of the derision for the work and the environment of soccer where my work gets played out as a volunteer chaplain. I was the only one, either, as some athletes and coaches had friends and family who would comment — when will you grow up? when will you get a real job? I think a commonly shared desire amongst people is that we can know and feel confident that our...

An introduction in any industry or business is critical and key — whether a 24-year veteran volunteer soccer chaplain or a first-year chaplain. An introduction to athletes, coaches, and staff at a football club usually come as a result of a trusted relationship or at the end of some sort of process that someone has endured. And introductions are important — whether an athlete is retiring from the...

Usually the beginning of the Major League Soccer (MLS) season sees me reflecting back and looking forward for the season to come. I usually do a lot of praying because there is a lot change and movement — not only for the athletes, but pretty much everyone else involved in the game. This time of the year (in the US and even a bit in the UK) sees a lot of change occur as teams in soccer going looki...

This past December, I released a new book, The Soccer Psalms , as a self-published work. (You can also find The Football Psalms -a British version-if you appreciate the different terms around the game). Both books are available globally on Amazon and contain 31 psalms that have been translated into “soccer psalms” — with words, language, and metaphors that connect soccer to God’s...

This past December, I released a new book, The Soccer Psalms , as a self-published work on Amazon. (You can also find The Football Psalms -a British version-if you appreciate the different terms around the game). Both books are available globally on Amazon and contain 31 psalms that have been translated into “soccer psalms” — with words, language, and metaphors that connect soccer to G...

This past December, I released a new book, The Soccer Psalms , as a self-published. (You can also find The Football Psalms -a British version-if you appreciate the different terms around the game). Both books are available globally on Amazon and contain 31 psalms that have been translated into “soccer psalms” — with words, language, and metaphors that connect soccer to God’s Word...

This past December, I released a new book, The Soccer Psalms , as a self-published work on Amazon. (You can also find The Football Psalms -a British version-if you appreciate the different terms around the game). Both books are available globally on Amazon and contain 31 psalms that have been translated into “soccer psalms” — with words, language, and metaphors that connect soccer to G...

This past December, I released a new book, The Soccer Psalms ! You can also find The Football Psalms (a British version) if you appreciate the different terms around the game. Both books are available on Amazon and contain 31 psalms that have been translated into “soccer psalms” — with words, language, and metaphors that connect soccer to God’s Word. I also include some reflectio...

Today, December 25, is Christmas Day. Billy Cerveny, a chaplain with Soccer Chaplains United, shares his musical gifts with a rendition of O Holy Night. Have a blessed Christmas and see you in the New Year of 2025! 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 o...

The Soccer Psalms ! Just in time for Christmas, I am releasing a new book. You can also find The Football Psalms (an anglicized version) if you appreciate the different terms around the game. The books are available on Amazon and contains 31 psalms that have been translated into “soccer psalms.” I include some reflection on the context and writing as well as some questions for reflecti...

The Soccer Psalms ! Just in time for Christmas, I am releasing a new book. You can also find The Football Psalms (an anglicized version) if you appreciate the different terms around the game. The books are available on Amazon and contains 31 psalms that have been translated into “soccer psalms.” I include some reflection on the context and writing as well as some questions for reflecti...

The Soccer Psalms ! Just in time for Christmas, I am releasing a new book. You can also find The Football Psalms (an anglicized version) if you appreciate the different terms around the game. The books are available on Amazon and contains 31 psalms that have been translated into “soccer psalms.” I include some reflection on the context and writing as well as some questions for reflecti...

Sometimes our story doesn’t quite go the way that we think it should. God often has plans for us (if we will see them) that go beyond our wildest dreams. My story and journey with soccer is very much like this — I would never have thought that I would be doing the work that I so thoroughly love and enjoy doing today. Today, on the podcast, we dip back into the archives and replay a podcast w...

People always think that a chaplain in soccer must have played at a high level of the game. This is a bad misnomer, but usually chaplains in soccer have some love and affinity and connection to the game. And the same holds true for myself, (Rev Brad). Today, on the podcast, we dip back into the archives and replay a podcast which originally aired, April 4, 2018. Here I share my soccer story — from...

Saint Martin of Tours’ Feast Day was November 11 — also known as Veteran’s Day (US) and Remembrance Day (UK). Advent (Celtic) begins November 15 — this season of 40 days preceding Christmas is a time of preparation and reflection. So what to talk about on the podcast that is sandwiched between the two? Today, on the podcast, I talk about reflecting on the important people and important...

Last month was Pastor/Chaplain Appreciation Month and we took time to feature some of our new chaplains with Soccer Chaplains United this year. Well, we’ve added so many new people that we thought we’d carry on that we couldn’t contain into just one month and we love our volunteer chaplains because they serve so willingly and so well without renumeration or much glory. Today, on...

October is Pastor/Chaplain Appreciation Month. All month long we’re featuring some of our new chaplains on the podcast because we really appreciate our volunteer people who serve without renumeration or much glory. Today, on the podcast, it’s part one of my interview with Jason Rollins. Jason has been serving as volunteer chaplain to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC since February. And...

During the month of October we are featuring some of our chaplains and the excellent work they provide to the soccer teams and clubs they serve. It’s Chaplain Appreciation Month and we really appreciate our chaplains who serve without renumeration or much glory. Today, on the podcast, it’s part 2 of my interview with Geraud Brumfield. Geraud has been serving as volunteer chaplain to Ce...

October is Chaplain Appreciation Month. It’s a time when we at Soccer Chaplains United highlight and acknowledge the great people that work with us and serve particular soccer clubs and teams. Today, on the podcast, special guest, Geraud Brumfield. Geraud serves as the volunteer chaplain to Central Valley Fuego FC. He began serving just a few months ago and has fallen in love with this local...

This week is part 2 of an interview with Volunteer Chaplain Ben Pflederer. During the month of October in honor of Pastoral Appreciation/Chaplain Appreciation Month we will be interviewing and highlighting some of our newest and best and brightest people involved with Soccer Chaplains United. Today, on the podcast, in part 2 with Ben we talk more about academy life and some of what faces the young...

October is Pastoral Appreciation Month and that means it is Chaplain Appreciation Month, too. It’s a time to acknowledge the work, the love, and the care provided by the best asset of Soccer Chaplains United, our people! Today, on the podcast, I interview Chaplain Ben Pflederer. Ben serves as the volunteer chaplain to the Colorado Rapids Development Academy. He began serving earlier this yea...

Alex Hunter is a fictional character that is playable in several versions of EA Sports Fifa video game. As a character, his storyline and attempt to become a big time footballer is a bit of a “Choose Your Own Adventure” element to one of the most popular video game franchises of all time. What response or reaction will you choose as you try to ascend the heights of the Beautiful Game?...

Amma Syncletica is one of those women who paid a dear price to follow Christian faith. And she’s known for one of the most intriguing statements for her time. Those who are great athletes must contend against powerful enemies. These are powerful words for a 4th century Desert Mother, even more so for her day and age. Today, on the podcast, I revisit an earlier From the Touchline podcast as a...

Most Americans will remember where they were on September 11, 2001. It was a terrible day of tragedy and shock. 23 years later, the world looks very differently than it did before then. And 9/11 was one of those moments which stopped the global game of soccer the world ’round. Today, on the podcast, I share my own memory from 9/11 and where I was with the start of my married life and going t...