We had a packed house in the studio for the second hour of The Starting Lineup, and it could not have come at a better time because World Cup soccer action is officially here! Now, Ned and Scott can fake it with the best of them when it comes to the pitch, but we wanted to bring in the real local experts. We were joined by Michele Boswell, her mother Carol (famously known as Grandma), and her son Chase—a junior-to-be at Strafford High School. Together with the backing of the local Oliver family, they have built an absolute juggernaut of a digital sports show right here in Southwest Missouri called “My Mom Calls It Soccer,” which has blossomed to nearly 20,000 subscribers on YouTube!

From Southwest Missouri to the Premier League

The project started about a year and a half ago out of a simple family dynamic: Chase is a massive fan of what the rest of the world calls football, and he was determined to teach his mom the ropes. After a family trip across the pond to catch a few Premier League matches, Michele was hooked. Realizing that there are thousands of passionate sports fans across the Ozarks who didn’t grow up with a soccer ball at their feet, they launched the podcast. Chase acts as the resident expert, while Michele and Grandma ask the everyday questions. In fact, Grandma Carol has become a massive fan favorite on the show, keeping the vibe light while Chase handles his title as the “extremely patient” analyst.

Local Strikers and Global Audiences

While Strafford High School doesn’t field an official school soccer team, Chase stays sharp playing striker for Rush, a premier local club organization. His growth on the field matches his evolution behind the microphone. The podcast’s unique approach—highlighting authentic fan voices rather than just relying on standard sports pundits—has caught fire globally. A recent episode interviewing a native England supporter who had deep disdain for Lionel Messi completely blew up, racking over 41,000 views. It’s the type of content traction that has them rubbing shoulders with big-time media numbers.

Where to Watch the World Cup in Springfield

With the US Men’s National Team kicking off their tournament run on Friday night against a physical Paraguay squad, we wanted to know exactly where locals should go to experience the games. Michele points local fans directly to the community watch parties happening at Mumbles on Commercial Street or Mully’s on Republic Road. The electric, packed-house atmospheres mirror the intensity of a Kansas City Chiefs home game right here in Springfield.

World Cup Favorites and Local Ties

When it comes to hoisting the trophy, Chase breaks down the elite tactical setups of Spain and the incredible attacking depth of France as the tournament favorites. He also expects a deep run from the US squad playing on home turf. The World Cup hits incredibly close to home for this crew; Michele is serving as an official media volunteer up at Arrowhead Stadium, which will be referred to as Kansas City Stadium throughout the World Cup, working with journalists and photographers. Meanwhile, Chase and Grandma will be in the stands for massive international fixtures like Argentina vs. Algeria and Algeria vs. Austria. Be sure to check out their website at mymomcallsitsoccer.com to follow their incredible journey all summer long.