Review of Next Goal Wins (2014) by Tony P — 26 Nov 2014

This documentary reminded me what footie is all about. Uplifting, touching and most of all inspiring with some unlikely heroes. I also, thought it funny in places.

American Samoa are the lowest ranked team in FIFA and are more well known for a world record 31-0 defeat at the hands of Australia. The American Samoan FA ask the USFA for assistance and they send Dutch coach Thomas Rongen (the only person who replied to the advert at the USFA). He has played with the likes of Cruyff and Best in the MLS and upon arrival he does not fit in with the culture. Beset with his own personal demons the coach and the players manage to find some common ground and slowly a relationship begins to form. What does not help is that their best player is 1000s of miles away with the US Military and he uses his entire annual leave to be available for the World Cup qualifiers.

For me the hero is Jaiyah, the first trans gender to play in a World Cup qualifier. She is no Vincent Kompany but what she does better than anyone is make the tea.....errrm no, I mean buy into the team ethos that Thomas is trying to instill in the squad. Some of the settings for the games are beautiful beyond belief (esp the game away to Samoa) and it made me think back to dreary away games at Plough Lane in decades past for some reason. Oh, and I think the keeper can play a bit too.