Watch Next Goal Wins

Next Goal Wins is a 2014 American documentary film directed by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison, based on the true story of the American Samoa national soccer team. The film follows the team, which had been dubbed the worst soccer team in the world, as they prepared for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Their coach, Thomas Rongen, a veteran coach from the Netherlands with an impressive career, was brought in to help turn the team around.

The film focuses on the team's journey as they try to improve their skills and morale in order to win a match. Along the way, the film shares the stories of some of the players, including Jaiyah Saelua, the team's fa'fafine or third-gender player and the first transgender player to play in a World Cup qualifier, and Nicky Salapu, the team's goalkeeper who had given up a record-breaking 31 goals in one match 10 years earlier.

The team faces various obstacles throughout the film, including injuries to key players and a lack of resources and funding. Despite their struggles, the team manages to come together and work hard to improve their chances of winning.

What sets Next Goal Wins apart from other sports documentaries is not just the underdog story of the American Samoa team, but also the nuanced exploration of gender identity and cultural diversity within the team. The film sheds light on the acceptance of Third Gender communities in the Samoan culture, and the role it plays in their football team.

Overall, Next Goal Wins is an inspiring and heartwarming documentary film that showcases the power of teamwork, perseverance, and the human spirit. The film is a must-watch for anyone who loves sports, underdog stories, and uplifting documentaries.

Next Goal Wins is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.8 and a MetaScore of 71.