Brilla continues season with four more home games
By Sarah Grace Coleman
The Brilla Futbol Club, which calls Clinton home, has four games remaining, with their next home game being June 3 at 7 p.m. in Mississippi Christian University’s Robinson-Hale Stadium, where they will face off against the Red River Raiders Futbol Club. They started off strong, winning 2-3 in their first game against Louisiana Krewe on May 20.
Brilla is a local ministry-based pre-professional soccer club.
“We do this to share the love of Christ through sports; so we play soccer, and the soccer field is our place of worship,” said Mike Azira, the head coach for Brilla.
Although Brilla contains members from all over the world, Clinton acts as the club’s home base and provides a community for its members to be involved in. Brilla hosts soccer ministry camps, as well as works with local organizations, such as Mission First and Stewpot Community Services.
“It’s so so important, to serve, to give back with what God has blessed you with,” said Azira. “A lot of people play soccer or play sports, but they can’t find ways to give back in the community.”
This season marks a special one, as Brilla celebrates the league’s 20th anniversary, as well as the 30th anniversary for the ministry. Azira credits the club members, such as the organization’s executive director Rusty Bryant, as well as the greater Clinton community, with “integrity, transparency and commitment to share the love of Christ” for Brilla’s success.
“We can’t do this without them, the fans, the local community, the schools we partner with, to give us facilities where we can train; so we can never thank them enough, because we couldn’t have done it without them,” said Azira.
Ways fans can support Brilla include attending games, making donations to their website, and funding or hosting a meal for the team.
All home games take place at the Robinson-Hale stadium on the MC campus. This is the team’s first year using Robinson-Hale stadium as its home field; recent years saw the club playing its home games at Arrow Field at Clinton High School.
Parking will be available off Highway 80 in Lot C, the parking garage, and by the stadium’s visitor entrance in Lot 1. Additional parking can also be found by Frierson Field. All parking will be free.
Tickets can be acquired in-person on gameday at the gate for $8 in either cash or card, or through Brilla’s website ahead of time for $6.
For digital tickets, fans are asked to have their QR codes ready on their phone upon arriving at the gate. Seating will be available on the visitor side of the stadium, and fans are encouraged to arrive early, set up tents and tailgate.
Future home games will take place on June 24, June 27, and July 8 at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, June 3 7 p.m. Red River FC Mississippi Christian University (MC) – Robinson-Hale Stadium
Saturday, June 13 7 p.m. Hattiesburg FC Tatum Park Soccer Fields
Saturday, June 20 7 p.m. Little Rock Rangers War Memorial Stadium
Wednesday, June 24 7 p.m. Memphis FC Mississippi Christian University (MC) – Robinson-Hale Stadium
Saturday, June 27 7 p.m. Jackson Boom Mississippi Christian University (MC) – Robinson-Hale Stadium
Wednesday, July 1 7 p.m. Memphis FC Mike Rose Soccer Complex
Saturday, July 4 7 p.m. Jackson Boom University School of Jackson
Wednesday, July 8 7 p.m. Louisiana Krewe FC Mississippi Christian University (MC) – Robinson-Hale Stadium
Saturday, July 11 7 p.m. Red River FC MD Ray Field – Airline High School Stadium
