The World Cup has officially taken over North America, and the energy hitting the Midwest is unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. To get a true taste of the global soccer mania happening right up the road at Arrowhead Stadium, we caught up with our good friend Michelle Boswell, co-host of the hit podcast My Mom Calls It Soccer. Michelle has been pulling double duty as both a die-hard fan and a credentialed media volunteer right on the pitch, and she joined Ned Reynolds, Scott Puryear, and Art Hains to give us the ultimate insider’s look at the beautiful game.

From Drury’s 2013 Glory to a Global Stage

For long-time local sports fans, Michelle is a familiar face from her days navigating the historic Drury University national championship run in Atlanta back in 2013. While we still reminisce about every single detail of that special title run 13 years later, Michelle notes that the scale of the World Cup is a completely different beast. The logistics, staff, and sheer coordination required to pull off multiple matches across Kansas City and North America are mind-boggling.

Wrangle Photographers and Photo-Bombing Algeria

Michelle walked us through the intense screening process she started last August to land a coveted media volunteer role. Working everywhere from the media center to acting as a pitchside photo marshal, she is responsible for keeping international journalists and photographers contained. It’s a high-stakes environment, but it comes with incredible perks—including a hilarious moment during the recent 3-3 thriller between Algeria and Austria where she accidentally photo-bombed an exuberant Algerian photographer!

Inside the Fan Culture & The “My Mom Calls It Soccer” Podcast

What makes this tournament truly unforgettable is the fan base dynamic. Michelle shared incredible stories of joining the legendary Netherlands parade featuring imported Dutch buses sporting Texas license plates. We also dove into the inspiration behind her podcast, My Mom Calls It Soccer, which she started with her son Chase to help casual sports fans learn the complex laws of the game without feeling overwhelmed.

Where to Watch Locally in Springfield

If you can’t afford the skyrocketing $1,200 ticket prices on secondary markets like SeatGeek, you can still catch the absolute best soccer atmosphere right here in Springfield. Michelle and the team highly recommend heading down to Mumbles on Commercial Street, where they are packing the house and showing every single match.