00:00 – Intro: A Soccer Bus Story

04:12 – Who Is ClubEleven?

11:20 – Why the Soccer Bus?

18:45 – Life on the Road: Challenges & Chaos

26:10 – US Open Cup Moments & Fan Encounters

35:22 – Creating the Magazine: The Soccer Odyssey

42:47 – The Culture of American Soccer, City by City

51:55 – What's Next for ClubEleven?

Saudi Arabia has been a hot topic in the footy world the last several years. Big name signings. Premier League team ownership. World Cup 2034 hosting. But what is the football scene in Saudi Arabia actually like? In this episode, Colin sits down with Lee Galvin of Matchstay, who traveled to Jeddah and Riyadh to experience the Saudi Pro League for himself. From the myths and misconceptions to the world-class players, matchday vibes, and the impact of a no-alcohol culture, Lee shares how it compares to Europe—and why more fans might want to see it for themselves.

Foot(y)notes:

• Saudi Arabia's World Cup 2034 promotional website: https://saudi2034.com.sa/
  
  
• Get a more Saudi perspective on the Saudi Pro League with the recent Netflix series: https://www.netflix.com/title/81783473
  
  
• …or just watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ivIYBD4tfQ
  
  
• Despite no alcohol, Saudi fans can still get rowdy and aggressive—Saudi style! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4K0z23ppOkE
  
  
• More info on the Saudi university program Lee mentioned: https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20151208190817896

04:37 | The inspiration (and price) for a trip to Saudi

07:48 | Saudi geography and Pro League teams

11:01 | Saudi stadiums and matchday atmosphere

16:06 | The alcohol myth busted

19:11 | Getting to the game and navigating around Saudi Arabian cities

25:57 | The hardest thing to deal with as a Westerner

32:35 | Out of grounds options in Saudi Arabia

38:42 | How to get tickets tothe Saudi Pro League

41:50 | Lee's other international footy travels

What if you built your own global football education—by leaving home, traveling across multiple continents, and going straight to the source? That's exactly what fellow footy traveler Andrew Baggaley, founder of Because Football Media did, as he spent more than a year exploring the globe, visiting football clubs, academies, and fan groups across Africa, Asia, South America, and Europe. Whether you're a traditional Premier League fan, a lover of fan culture, or curious about how the global game shapes lives off the pitch, this episode is for you.

03:55 | Prototyping Because Football in Paris at PSG

07:26 | Heading to Ivory Coast for AFCON

10:32 | Connecting with Independiente, River Plate, & Racing Club

15:44 | Why Port Vale? And... who...is Port Vale exactly?

17:48 | Eastern Europe on the way to the Far East

20:23 | Comparing footy cultures across Southeast Asia

25:33 | What the world taught Andrew about American soccer

32:27 | The first ever soccer game in the US

35:49 | Coming Soon: The "Road Trip to the World Cup" Series

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