FIFA Women's World Cup: Virginia family follows U.S. team across Canada in camper
'We intend to follow them until as far as they go,' says Michael Hemphill, a.k.a. 'soccer dad'
Michael Hemphill and his family arrived in Winnipeg Sunday to watch the Monday match between the U.S. and Australia.
It's the family's first trip to Canada. Eldest daughter Naomi said she's impressed with Winnipeg so far.
"It's really cool to be around so many American fans and it's just really cool to meet people from all over the country." said Naomi.
The Hemphills are camping at Birds Hill Park and doing some sightseeing in the lead up to Friday's game between the U.S. and Sweden.
- Soccer mom upset over no re-entry FIFA policy at Winnipeg stadium
- FIFA Women's World Cup: Rapinoe has 2 goals in U.S. win
Hemphill's wife coaches soccer and all his daughters play. That's what inspired the soccer vacation.
"I thought that, plus the family experience, and us seeing, you know, beautiful Canada, this was an opportunity that would only come once in a life time,"
Hemphill's daughter Meg, 10, said she was thrilled to see her idols play Monday night against Australia.
"My favorite player is Megan Rapinoe because she scored two goals, and she's really good!" Meg said.
Michael Hemphil admits he wasn't always a soccer dad.
"I never really played soccer growing up in Alabama and so I've never had to learn the game," said Hemphill. "All three of our girls play soccer and every night in fall and spring involves driving them to a soccer game or soccer practice … and so I call myself 'soccer dad.'"
Hemphill has started a blog called "World Cup Soccer Dad," where he's writing and posting pictures from the road.
Assuming the Americans keep winning, the family plans to follow the team all the way to the final.
"From here Friday night after the game we immediately head west to Vancouver for the third game of group-play," Hemphill said.
"From there, we intend to follow them until as far as they go."