TNT Sports unveils When Soccer Came to America feature doc

TNT Sports has commissioned ITN Productions to make feature documentary When Soccer Came to America: Goals, Glamour and the Beautiful Game, which tells the story of how professional soccer first took root in the United States.

The 60-minute documentary charts the rise of the NASL (North American Soccer League) and the global superstars who helped transform the sport’s status in the US.

America is co-hosting the World Cup this summer, and high profile players including Messi and David Beckham now play in the MLS.

Ian Rumsey, managing director of content, ITN, said: “We’re delighted to work with TNT Sports on this project - just as America is preparing to host the World Cup. This is an amazing story and the archive we discovered will bring it to life for a new generation of fans preparing for the greatest show on earth.”

The film examines the NASL’s growth during the 1970’s and 80’s with some of the greatest footballers in history - including Pelé, George Best, and Johan Cruyff -  bringing 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 American experiment to popularise the world’s game.

At the heart of the story is Pelé’s landmark move to the New York Cosmos, a moment widely credited with igniting a soccer boom across the country. The film also revisits the influence of George Best during his time in the league and Johan Cruyff’s brief but impactful spell in North America.

The documentary also features interviews with Kely Nascimento, daughter of Pelé; Calum Best, son of George Best; Rodney Marsh, former NASL star and England international; Shep Messing, New York Cosmos goalkeeper and Clive Toye, the general manager of the New York Cosmos.

When Soccer Came to America: Goals, Glamour and the Beautiful Game debuts on Saturday, 28 March on TNT Sports in the US and then will air on HBO Max.