Congrats on the R8, thats a serious piece of kit for soccer games. Honestly, the internal mic on any camera is just asking for trouble, especially with that Chicago wind coming off the lake. In my experience, the simplest thing for a beginner is to avoid mics that need their own separate batteries. I've tried many setups over the years where I forgot to turn the mic on and lost all the audio... it's the worst feeling when you realize it too late. For your budget, you really should look at the Rode VideoMic GO II Ultra-compact Shotgun Microphone. Its basically foolproof because it draws power directly from the camera. You just slide it onto the shoe on top, plug it in, and you're ready to go. The fuzzy thing you saw is called a deadcat, and it is essential for what you're doing. It breaks up the wind so it doesn't distort the sound and ruin the recording. If you want everything in one box without buying extra bits, the Rode VideoMicro II Compact On-camera Microphone is another great choice. It actually comes with the fuzzy windshield included, which saves you some cash. Over the years, I've found these smaller shotgun mics are way safer for people who just want to record without fiddling with menus. Just make sure the cable is pushed in tight or you'll get some nasty interference. If you run into issues with the levels once you get it, feel free to ask and I can walk you through the R8 menu settings.

Unfortunately, most entry-level mics are a total letdown when that lakefront wind actually hits. I have had issues with cheaper setups just clipping and sounding like static. Are you standing right on the sidelines or way back in the bleachers? Quick tip: make sure whatever you buy includes a furry windshield. The <a href=" https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt= Sennheiser+MKE+200+On-Camera+Directional+Microphone&BI=8941&KBID=10361&SID=2222&DFF=d50" target="_blank" rel="nofollow sponsored">Sennheiser MKE 200 On-Camera Directional Microphone is alright, but even that struggles without a proper deadcat.

Building on the earlier suggestion, I actually think a standard shotgun might be the wrong move. In my experience, they pick up way too much sideline noise at windy games. A compact wireless setup is way more reliable for clear audio tho.

• Rode Wireless ME Compact Wireless Microphone System fits your budget at $149.
• It's got those fuzzy windscreens for the wind.
• It handles levels automatically so you dont have to mess with settings.

Regarding what #3 said about 'Unfortunately, most entry-level mics are a total letdown...'

• I actually found that once I added a decent wind cover, even a basic setup performed way better than I expected. I've been using a very simple, battery-free option for a few years now and I am honestly so happy with it. My current setup just plugs into the camera and works every single time. I used to stress about batteries dying mid-game, but this one just pulls power from the R8 itself. It came with one of those fuzzy covers everyone is mentioning, and it really does make a massive difference for outdoor sports tho. I've had no complaints from the family when we watch the clips back later. Keeping it simple was the best thing I did for my workflow. TL;DR: Reliability is key for sports. Stick with something that doesn't need separate batteries and comes with a furry windshield to beat the wind.