Parents' Guide to

Next Goal Wins

By Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Captivating, moving sports docu; some swearing.

Movie NR 2014 97 minutes
Next Goal Wins Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 7+

Based on 1 parent review

throwmeapeanut
throwmeapeanut Parent
September 1, 2014
age 7+

Perfect documentary for family

Great story about sticking to goals, overcoming odds, and showcases a culture that is naturally supportive of one another. The attitude of the team toward the transgender player is a great model for kids to witness.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

After the most humiliating defeat in World Cup soccer history (Australia: 31, American Samoa: 0) in 2001's qualifying round, it seemed that things couldn't get much worse. But they do. As years pass and the 2014 World Cup preliminary events are about to begin, American Samoa hasn't won a game in decades. They're last in FIFA's World Cup rankings. Their 17-year record is an unbelievable two goals scored vs. 229 goals scored against. NEXT GOAL WINS finds British documentary filmmakers Mike Brett and Steve Jamison on the island to record this lowly team's efforts to redeem themselves. At first it appears to be an insurmountable task. There are no funds, no well-trained players, and no adequate facilities, and the hapless coaches have little hope and even less expertise -- but all that is about to change. Before the FIFA qualifying matches, the U.S. Soccer Federation recruits Dutch coach Thomas Rongen, asking him to travel to American Samoan to perform a one-month miracle. Rongen is fair, skilled, and, without a doubt, a blustering force of nature. Alongside the American Samoans' considerable religious faith, their devotion to one another, and their unrelenting love of the game, Rongen becomes a fairy godfather, wielding his magic wand and taking them to the brink of the redemption they are shown to so greatly deserve.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1):
Kids say: Not yet rated

This movie's thoroughly enjoyable and and loaded with inspiring messages. Brett and Jamison must consider themselves among the luckiest filmmakers in the world. What they found in American Samoa was moviemaking gold: fascinating characters, including a goalie who'd suffered an unbearable defeat, two photogenic American athletes with ties to American Samoa, soccer's first transgender athlete, and the incredibly charismatic and likable coach sent to save them, which set the story in motion and kept it there. Then, unlikely and suspenseful events took Next Goal Wins to unusual places and to a not-entirely-predictable resolution. The filmmakers’ respectful and tender treatment of the American Samoan people, its culture, and Jaiyah Saelua, a mesmerizing transgender athlete, bring additional depth to an already thoughtful and heartfelt film. Notwithstanding the colorful Coach Rongen’s occasional swearing, it’s great fun.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the qualities it took for the American Samoans to turn their team around in Next Goal Wins. How does the team demonstrate integrity, perseverance, and teamwork? Which of those qualities do you think were distinctly related to their country and culture?

  • The filmmakers could not have known the outcome of this story when they started filming. It was a risky venture, but it turned out to be lucky. Why do you think true stories about actual events can be so satisfying? Would you have liked the film even if it turned out differently?

  • Is it necessary to be a soccer fan to enjoy this movie? What are some general life lessons to take away from it?

Movie Details

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