Get Me In There! And boy did I go!

If the first few months are any indication of what 2016 has to offer, then this is going to be a good year. I’m so excited to announce that I am the new host of Heineken and MLS Soccer’s Get Me In There. It’s a digital series that brings an inside look at the fans that drum, dance, sing, tailgate, and do whatever it takes to create the most dynamic match day atmosphere in Major League Soccer.

This is such a dream job! If you follow me, you know I love to travel and cheer, but what you may not know is that I’m an athlete first. I’ve been in sports all my life- from figure skating (where I was selected by Richard Callaghan to start training for the Olympic team- until I fell on my head and decided school might be a better option) to soccer where my natural ability to run and attack a ball made me a great defender. I was a Stopper, which no longer exists, but man did I stop! And when I didn’t, I ran really fast to make up for it. #SorryCoach

So it was an incredible honor to interview Nat Borchers, who is a talented defender and has also become the face of the Portland Timbers. I mean, with a beard like that, how can you not be a fan favorite? And spending five seconds with him, you realize he is so much more than the beard. He is a very nice, humble, smart man who treats everyone with not only respect, but an unbelievable amount of attention. They say Keep Portland Weird, but Nat says Keep Portland Beard- and I’d agree with that!

On the second day of our shoot, it was Game Day. The Portland Timbers opener was a rematch of the MLS Cup final with Columbus Crew- it was an insane game! If you look at the recap, you’ll see why. It can be hard to jump into a devout supporters group, but Whitney from the Timbers Army welcomed me in with open arms, helped me with all the songs, and even gave me a nifty scarf… which was much appreciated in the cold! I even got up close and personal with Timber Joey, who slices off a piece of the victory log after every goal. The atmosphere was insane. I can’t wait to show you the finished product when the video is all up.

Thanks Portland!