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Across the Sea

Published

4 years ago

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I was around ten-years-old and my family was on tour to yet another boring castle or other, I thought at the time.  We had moved to London two years before and spent countless hours traveling around the UK – England, Scotland, Ireland now we’d crossed the border into Northern Ireland. At the time it didn’t mean anything to me. That would soon and forever change. We got out of the car and looked around visiting shops. It was the early 1990s and my father was a camera enthusiast. I don’t remember the model, but he had a more modern camera for our trip.

Many young fans might not know this, but we didn’t used to have cameras on phones and we didn’t even used to carry phones in our pockets! This beast above was as mobile as taking a family photo got. My father was taking a family photo and general photos of the area, this was the story of my life (still is) and not something out of the ordinary for me. I didn’t see the movement and I don’t even recall what the vehicle looked like, but I do recall the feeling of turning to see the vehicle and a mounted gun pointed at our family. It seems strange to me even now that such an enormous event, I can’t recall the imagery only the feelings.

To their credit it was a brief exchange, my Dad identified us as American tourists, showed them our passports and the diplomatic plates on our nearby vehicle. They welcomed us and the situation was diffused in short order. To my parents’ credit, they didn’t panic which is probably why the entire experience is dulled in my memory. That was the first time, the first time I discovered people that didn’t know me could hate me.

Over the next 10 years, I would learn a lot much more about my Irish heritage, the violence between Ireland and Northern Ireland (as well as England). The deeply rooted hate between the two cultures, separated by a border on one island or a short 20-mile stretch of sea separating the two islands. For hundreds of years, the English killing and deporting the Irish from their own lands. The English importing thousands of vessels loaded with food from Ireland in the 1840s, from the very worst hit cities during a famine that took 1 million Irish lives. How the Irish were leveraged as indentured servants to clear dangerous swamps filled with malaria to save their more expensive African slaves for the backbreaking work on their land. 

Last year was the 100-year memorial of the 1920 violence at Croke Park. British forces were pursuing Irish Republic Armies, as Ireland was seeking independence from England. In retaliation to IRA members killing British intelligence officers, they entered the Gaelic Football match, blocked the exits and opened fire on the crowd. They killed 14 people including children and injuring many others. The violence between these two groups ran deep and well into the 1990s. All because the Irish were born on one shore, the English on another. Hate, anger, confusion grew, but ideas for action didn’t – what could I do? What can anyone do about hate?

Jozy Altidore shared not long ago about his experience in Eredivisie and I’ve heard from so many there. Recently there was a USL incident at a Loudoun County United in Virginia, in which players heard monkey chants directed at NYRB 2 players (mentioned by Mandela Egbo). Last August Reggie Cannon was the target of racial abuse for taking a knee, in response to racial injustice. Then this at Mark McKenzie, in a USMNT game in Denver. 

As I watched Mark McKenzie share about the racial and disgusting offense he and his fellow players have endured my blood boiled. I can’t relate to what they’re going through, but I can empathize. I can hurt for my fellow man. It has been a year and a half-filled with so much hate and anger here in the US. An epicenter of anger and a cry for justice here in Louisville, with Brionne Taylor. It broke my heart for McKenzie and the other players who received abuse. In the midst of an awesome victory, to have their joy stolen to be reminded of that hate.

Mark also shared his experience on his Orange Slices, Podcast – a must-listen for all US fans:

Where does this hate come from? What can we do as fans? It’s good to see fans in the stadium taking action, an arrest was made of the person who threw a projective at Giovanni Reyna, but I’ve not seen any action from the racist chants, investigations of Mexico’s fans (led to a stoppage of play, but that was it). No arrest made in the USL game, but action. These little seeds of hope born of action and even the rise of groups like the Black Players for Change in Major League Soccer. Not only the groups rise with the help of leaders like Mark McKenzie himself, but how it has inspired black athletes internationally.

More action and being proactive is needed from #FIFA, #CONCACAF along with the leagues and stadiums around the country.  Fans need to join in being vigilant during matches, taking down numbers for activity. LouCity has a number to text if you hear or experience anything during the game. Fans need to capture offenders on camera when they are involved in racist chants or otherwise offensive dialog. It’ll take a collective, it’ll take action.

It was this quote from Reverend Desmond Tutu and his speech he shared with a crowd at James Madison University in 2007 that would inspire me one year later to sell everything that I owned and move to South Africa to be a part of positive change there in the aftermath of apartheid. There’s much work to be done all over the world and I have much room to grow myself. Even writing this article itself is me desiring to be more vocal, use my platform and take action.  

It’s not enough to be a “not racist” person we need to be anti-racist people for us to truly have meaningful progress. We must go out of our way to shame racist behavior, we can’t be silent, and tweeting that we stand with our players isn’t merely enough. What are you doing when you see or hear racist behavior? Are you prepared in advance to take action. Did you take down that number to reach out to at the beginning of the game if something were to happen? The power of brave words against it and push back in unison can often be enough to silence the public display of hate. Here’s a powerful example of fans supporting Leroy Kwadwo in a German match:

In 1998 a peace accord was struck between the IRA and Northern Ireland which finally ended in a 2005 disarmament. This didn’t happen without pain, without boldness, without the loved ones of people who had died in the violence speaking out. After hundreds of years of war, we’ve seen real progress over the last 16 years in Ireland. Is the hate gone from generations and hundreds of years of violence and death? Of course not. However, it is progress. That kind of progress is needed in soccer and in the US. This is an impossibly complex problem built over hundreds of years of anger, hate and confusion. US Soccer can lead the way in being part of the healing.

I stand with Reggie Cannon, Mark McKenzie, Mandelo Egbo, Jozy Altidore and so many other African American athletes who are already under tremendous pressure but get added hate because of the color of their skin. Let’s be better US Soccer, let’s be better US Soccer fans.

Let’s stand with those who are under attack, arm-in-arm, on one shore and across the seas.

 

 

                                                                          

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USMNT

Launching Caring Excellence in Northern Kentucky

Published

2 months ago

on

July 21, 2025

By

  • Caring for Villa Hills, Fort Thomas, Union, Florence, Crestview Hills and Northern Kentucky


Over the past few years, I’ve written here at Chasing A Cup about family, faith, leadership, and walking through life with intention. Some of you have been reading since the early days. Some of you prayed for my family. Some of you even rolled up your sleeves and gave blood — blood that was meant for my mom and others like her in their time of need.

I’ll never forget that.

Three years ago, my mom passed away. It was a season of heartbreak, but also one of clarity. As I stood beside my family — and as I supported others in our community grieving their own parents — I came to understand how deeply care matters. Not just in hospitals or emergencies, but in the everyday: the quiet, complicated, deeply human moments that make up the final chapters of someone’s life.

That realization stayed with me. And over time, it changed the direction of my work.

For most of my career, I worked in product management — building teams, delivering systems, and leading with structure and strategy. I still believe in all of that. But I also wanted to build something more personal. Something rooted not just in outcomes, but in presence and compassion.

That’s why Sarah and I decided to open a Caring Excellence office in Northern Kentucky.

Caring Excellence has been serving families across Kentucky for over 13 years. It’s a family-owned, fully licensed home care agency that specializes in non-medical, in-home support for seniors and adults — help with daily living, memory care, companionship, and more. And now, we’re proud to bring that same level of compassionate, character-driven care to Florence and the surrounding region.

Our new Northern Kentucky office serves families in places like Villa Hills, Union, Fort Thomas, Crestview Hills, and Florence — communities filled with multi-generational households, strong family ties, and seniors who deserve to age with dignity.

At Caring Excellence, we focus on people first. We don’t just fill schedules — we carefully match caregivers to clients based on personality, needs, and values. Sarah leads our caregiver hiring, drawing from her years of experience as both a caregiver and healthcare professional. She looks not just for skill, but for heart — people of integrity, empathy, and real compassion.

As for me, I now use my business background to support the team behind the scenes — building systems, developing processes, and making sure our caregivers have the tools and training they need to serve others well.

This new venture is deeply personal. It’s also missional. It’s about stepping into people’s lives when they need support most and offering something simple, but powerful: peace of mind.

We’re not moving to Florence, but we’re fully committed to this region. We’re investing in it — by hiring local caregivers, building relationships with local providers, and offering families home care in Northern Kentucky a trusted option for high-quality home care.

To those of you who’ve been on this journey with me — through writing, through prayer, through donating blood when we needed it most — thank you. I hope this new chapter reflects what we’ve always believed in here: that service matters, character counts, and small acts of care can ripple further than we think.

If you know someone in Northern Kentucky who needs support — in Union, Villa Hills, Crestview Hills, Fort Thomas, or Florence — we’d be honored to walk alongside them.

Thanks for reading, and for being part of the story.

—Marcus

Learn More
To learn more about Caring Excellence and our in-home care services for Northern Kentucky families, visit:
https://caringexcellenceathome.com/northern-kentucky-office

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USMNT

Concacaf Gold Cup is becoming tarnished

Published

3 months ago

on

June 14, 2025

By

Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)

Not long ago, winning your confederation’s tournament earned a spot in the FIFA Confederations Cup, a prestigious competition held in the World Cup host nation the summer before the world’s biggest tournament.

The tournament featured the champions of all six confederations (AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC, and UEFA), along with the reigning FIFA World Cup winner and the host nation, rounding out the field to eight teams. The tournament was last played in 2017.

The Concacaf Gold Cup is a semi-cycle tournament played in the first and third years of the cycle. The CAF Africa Cup of Nations is the only other confederation that plays two tournaments a cycle, and in many circles, the frequency of the Concacaf Gold Cup and the addition of the Concacaf Nations League has made the Gold Cup a throwaway tournament for the USMNT, as it’s been six years since the so called A list player pool has played in the event.

It raises the question for FIFA and Concacaf: should the Gold Cup be played once a cycle, and should FIFA consider bringing back the Confederations Cup?

The USMNT won the inaugural Gold Cup in 1991 and has claimed seven of the 17 editions since. Only two other CONCACAF nations Mexico (9) and Canada (1)—have lifted the trophy, and both are contenders in this edition.

The USMNT has a strong track record at the Gold Cup, finishing first in their group every year except 2011. They’ve reached 12 finals, with a record of 69 wins, 12 draws, and 9 losses, scoring 189 goals and conceding just 60


Gold Cup Player Stats

Across 17 editions of the Gold Cup, the USMNT has netted 189 goals, conceded just 60, and recorded 50 clean sheets. Here’s a look at the players who made it happen, those who found the back of the net, and those who kept it out.

Goals


18-Landon Donovan
13-Clint Dempsey
9-Eric Wynalda
8-Brian McBride
7-Jesus Ferreira

Assists


16-Landon Donovan
7-Michael Bradley
6-DaMarcus Beasley
6-Alejandro Bedoya
6-Eric Wynalda
5-Clint Dempsey

Wins


17-Kasey Keller
11-Tim Howard
8-Tony Meola
7-Matt Turner

Shutouts


14-Kasey Keller
8-Tim Howard
6-Tony Meola
6-Matt Turner

Captain

10-Michael Bradley
10-Kasey Keller
9-Carlos Bocanegra
8-Tony Meola
7-Claudio Reyna

Gold Cup Manager Stats

Over the past 34 years, the USMNT has reached 12 of the 17 Gold Cup finals under the leadership of seven different managers. Here’s a look at how each of them performed.

Matches Coached


25-Bruce Arena
18-Bob Bradley
12-Gregg Berhalter
12-Jurgen Klinsmann
10-Bora Milutinovic
8-Steve Sampson
5-B.J. Callaghan

Matches Won


19-Bruce Arena – GF-52-, GA-14
14-Bob Bradley – GF-34, GA-17
11-Gregg Berhalter – GF-26, GA-3
9-Jurgen Klinsmann – GF-32, GA-9
8-Bora Milutinovic – GF-15, GA-8
6-Steve Sampson – GF-14, GA-5
2-B.J. Callaghan – GF-16, GA-4

Gold Cup Trophies


3-Bruce Arena
1-Gregg Berhalter
1-Bob Bradley
1-Jurgen Klinsmann
1-Bora Milutinovic

Conclusion

In the future, U.S. Soccer and the USMNT should clearly communicate roster expectations for the Gold Cup, especially if a full A-list squad is not planned. Transparency on this front is essential, as it directly affects fan interest and attendance.

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Club News

From Louisville to Lisbon: Joshua Wynder’s Journey with S.L. Benfica

Published

3 months ago

on

June 13, 2025

By

The current state of the USMNT has been at an all-time low since Couva in 2017.  One of the positions in dire situation is Center Back.  Tim Ream will be 38 by the time of the 2026 World Cup.  Chris Richards has too many highs and lows and has not shown his club form with the US.  Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty have yet to perform for the national team.  Miles Robinson, despite what many MLS fans want to believe, is not good enough and makes too many errors, like the second Turkish goal on June 7th, 2025.  Walker Zimmerman has one World Cup left in him and he has a history of making critical errors as well, like the penalty against Gareth Bale in the 2022 World Cup.  Lastly, Mark McKenzie has improved his game since his move to Toulouse, but he is lacking the deserved opportunities and a good partnership.

Our U20 CBs will need to be called up sooner rather than later, either before or immediately after the 2026 World Cup.  The top 3 prospects by fans and analysts are Noahkai Banks, Matai Akinmboni, and Joshua Wynder.  Of the three, Joshua Wynder is the oldest at 20 years old and is part of a club that is world-renowned for their development, S.L. Benfica.

How did Wynder manage to accomplish such a move from Louisville City in the USL Championship to Benfica?  To summarize, Wynder had a breakout season for Lou City at 17 years old in 2022, so much so that he was included in the US U20 World Cup team in 2023. 

LOUvOKC.Photographer: EM Dash Photography

Wynder secured a spot to go on trial at Benfica and passed.  On June 8th, 2023, Benfica officially acquired Joshua Wynder from Lou City for a record-breaking $1.2 million transfer fee, which still stands today.

Louisville City FC, LOUvPIT.Photographer: EM Dash Photography

Benfica registered Wynder with the second team for the 2023/2024 season, who participate in Liga Portugal 2.  Due to Portuguese rules (players play in the youth system until they are 19 years old), he spent the season with Benfica’s UEFA Youth League team and U23 team and only received 21 minutes with the B team until a season-ending injury.  What began as a promising start, with the support of the fans, was cut short after just six matches.  The following season went according to plan for Wynder.  Wynder became a consistent starter for the B team where he started in 29 matches and appeared in a total of 31 matches.  He also scored four goals, all headers from corners. 


His success with the B team made him a fan-favorite and several calls to be called up to the first team by fans on social media.  That day came on April 9th, 2025, when he made the team sheet for Benfica’s Taça de Portugal Semi-Final match against FC Tirsense.  Wynder made his first team debut when he was subbed in at the 76th minute mark of that match.  He made a following appearance on the bench for the first team in their second leg match against FC Tirsense.

As early as November 27, 2024, it was reported by Glorioso 1904 that Joshua Wynder had gained the attention of the Benfica manager, Bruno Lage.  The report further said that Wynder was becoming an option for the next season’s first team.  A similar report surfaced on March 25, 2025, by Record, in Portugal, that Wynder is on track to be with the first team for the 2025/2026 season.  That day may be coming sooner rather than later.  Joshua Wynder will be joining Benfica on their 2025 Club World Cup campaign.  This will be a true test for him to prove to Bruno Lage that he is ready to be part of the first team for the upcoming 2025/2026 Liga Portugal and UEFA Champions League season.  If he is given serious minutes with the first team and performs, Joshua Wynder needs to be considered for the 2026 World Cup or immediately following the World Cup.


Benfica is in Group C of the Club World Cup with Auckland City, Bayern München, and Boca Juniors.  Their first match is against Boca Juniors, 33-time Argentine champions, on June 16th.  Game two is on June 20th against 10-time New Zealander champions, Auckland City FC.  Lastly, their 3rd group stage match is against the 6-time UEFA Champions League winners, Bayern München, on June 24th.

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