About
Kansas City’s Front-Row Seat to the World’s Biggest Soccer Moment
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will bring unprecedented global attention to Kansas City.
Heart & Goal is Kansas City’s front-row seat to the world’s biggest soccer moment — a podcast exploring both the matches and the magic across the region.
From match-day energy to food, culture, business, and civic impact, Heart & Goal is an all-access pass to hosting the world’s game.
More Than a Soccer Podcast
This isn’t just analysis of what happens on the pitch.
Each episode examines what the World Cup means for:
Heart & Goal exists to explore:
- Local businesses
- Community leaders
- Infrastructure and development
- Tourism and hospitality
- The long-term legacy of the tournament
As Kansas City prepares for a defining global moment, Heart & Goal provides context, clarity, and credible perspective.
Built for Impact.
Heart & Goal is informed by KC2026 while remaining independently produced.
This structure allows the podcast to leverage meaningful insight while maintaining editorial independence and avoiding FIFA-related IP restrictions.
The result is a focused, forward-looking conversation designed to serve Kansas City.
Produced by Walz Tetrick Advertising, Heart & Goal is a professionally developed media property.
Our Team
Nate Bukaty
Host
Nate is a proud Kansas Citian and has been a respected voice on sports talk airwaves since 2003. Nate serves as a play-by-play announcer for Major League Soccer on Apple TV and has also covered matches for FOX and CBS. His experience with MLS and love of Kansas City gives Nate a great perspective into how the FIFA World Cup can transform our city.
Matt Besler
Co-Host
Matt is a Kansas City native and Sporting Kansas City soccer legend known for his leadership and work ethic. Matt was an All-American at Notre Dame and then played 13 seasons in the MLS and holds honors such as MLS Defender of the Year, 5-time MLS All-Star, 2-time MLS Best XI selection, winner of the 2013 MLS Cup and a member of Sporting Kansas City’s Legends Hall of Honor. In addition, Matt earned 47 caps, won CONCACAF Gold Cups in 2013 and 2017 and started all four matches for the United States Men’s National Team in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. That made him the first Kansan to play ever play in the tournament.
Benny Feilhaber
Co-Host
Benny spent the majority of his nine-year MLS career with Sporting Kansas City, where he became one of the club’s most prolific playmakers. He recorded 35 goals and 58 assists in 198 competitive matches for Sporting and was integral to the team winning the 2013 MLS Cup and US Open Cups in 2015 and 2017. For the USMNT Benny earned 44 caps and scored 2 career goals between 2007 and 2017. The most famous goal being the game winning goal against Mexico to win the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup. In addition to MLS and FIFA World Cup experience Benny also represented the US in the 2008 Olympic Games.
Graham Zusi
Co-Host
Graham is a legendary soccer star who spent his entire 15-year professional soccer career with Sporting Kansas City. He is the club’s all-time leader in competitive appearances, ranks second in team history in assists and earned a club-record seven MLS All-Star selections and was a two-time selection into the MLS Best XI.While at Sporting he was a central figure to winning the 2013 MLS Cup and three US Open Cups. Graham earned 55 caps and scored 5 goals playing for the US Men’s National Team and played in the 2014 FIFAL World Cup and was part of the squad that won the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Roger Espinoza
Co-Host
Roger is a Honduran American midfielder who spent 14 seasons with Sporting Kansas City during his decorated professional career.During that time the club won three US Open Cup titles and made 10 appearances in the MLS Cup Playoffs.Roger was an MLS All-Star in 2012 and is second all-time with 399 appearances. While representing the Honduran national team Roger earned 52 caps and scored 4 goals between 2009 and 2017. He played in both the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup’s as well as the 2012 London Olympic Games. Roger currently serves as an Assistant Coach for Sporting Kansas City.
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