When Soccer Came to America: Goals, Glamour and the Beautiful Game

With glitz, glamour and the world’s top players, the North American Soccer League was soccer’s wild child.

The film examines the North America Soccer League’s (NASL) explosive growth during the 1970’s and 80’s with some of the greatest footballers in history - including Pelé, George Best, and Johan Cruyff - bringing unprecedented attention to the game. Through rare archive footage and intimate interviews, the documentary explores how the NASL became a cultural phenomenon, blending sport, celebrity, and ambition in a uniquely American experiment to popularize the world’s game.

• Release date
• March 28, 2026
• Runtime
• 60 min
• Genres
• Documentary
• Director
• Oliver Price

Cast

S

Shep Messing Self

C

Clive Toye Self Calum Best Self Pelé Self (Archive Footage) George Best Self (Archive Footage) Henry Kissinger Self (Archive Footage)