Watch Club Frontera

Club Frontera is a 2016 documentary-style film that depicts the dynamic cultural landscape and rich history of Mexico and the United States in the border region by focusing on the sporting event of soccer. The film was directed by Chris Cashman, and produced by Martin Albert and Fernando Arce. The border region separating Mexico and the United States is a culturally and ethnically rich area where two very different societies are interconnected. Soccer or “futbol” is one of the cultural activities that both societies share, and it is tightly intertwined with the identity of both peoples. Club Frontera highlights this shared love for “futbol” by focusing on the story of Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente - a professional soccer team in Tijuana, Mexico, and their quest to win the championship of the Liga MX, the highest professional soccer league of Mexico.

The film that covers the 2014 season of the LMX soccer League, which features Club Tijuana as one of its main characters. The documentary captures the daily struggles and triumphs on and off the field experienced by the players, the coach, the fans, and the local community. The story of Club Tijuana reveals much about the complex social issues and challenges faced by people on both sides of the border. It is not only a story of soccer or sports, but a story that speaks to the deeper implications of the border region's intricate cultural and social connections.

The movie begins by introducing the Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles soccer team, and how an American business mogul, Paul Clark, saved the team from financial ruin by purchasing a 50% stake in the club. The film then shifts focus to other key figures for Club Tijuana, such as the Colombian Eduardo Coudet, the coach at the time when the team started its championship run. Coudet faces the challenge of pulling together a group of players from various backgrounds and cultures, including Americans, Mexicans, and South Americans, and motivating them to play as a team.

The film also introduces the team’s legendary goalkeeper, Cirilo Saucedo, who is one of the most important and experienced players in the “Xolos” team. He plays a key role in the team’s success during the championship run through his remarkable goalkeeping and leadership. Aside from these key characters, Club Frontera introduces other players, the team's youth academy, the fans, and other personalities that share the history and legacy of soccer in Tijuana.

Through interviews with players, coaches, fans, and journalists, the film reveals the hardships and the richness of the border region's soccer culture. It shows the importance of soccer in the lives of the people in border towns as a way to connect with one another and to navigate through social and economic challenges. While the team wins games, the movie also brings to light the drug war, immigration crackdowns, and other social and economic challenges that people in the region face.

Club Frontera is not only a soccer movie but also a social and political commentary on the complexities of the border region. The film shows how soccer can bridge cultures, create a shared national identity, but also expose some of the cultural differences and divides between Mexico and America. The “futbol” stories in Club Frontera touch on the debate of building a physical wall between Mexico and the United States, drug war, illegal immigration, and a clash of cultures.

The film also raises important questions about the intersection of sports and global politics, social justice, and cultural identity. The movie deals with the controversies of how sports and politics interact, and the power of corporate interests in sports, while also providing a backdrop to understand the complexities of the U.S.-Mexico relationship.

In conclusion, Club Frontera tells the story of soccer, hope, and dreams in the border region. It offers an intimate and emotional portrayal of a sports team that has become a symbol of the region's hopes and struggles. It is a must-watch for anyone who loves sports, culture, and politics.