Next Goal Wins (2014)

dir. Mike Brett & Steve Jamison In 2001, American Samoa lost 31–0 to Australia, the worst loss in international football history, and have been dogged by defeat ever since. They want to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but continue to lose on the pitch. To help turn their luck around, the Football Federation American Samoa hire Dutch-born, America-based coach Thomas Rongen. Over the next three weeks, Rongen trains the team, and introduces some players based overseas, until they can acquit themselves with pride at the qualifiers at the OFC World Cup Qualification. Jaiyah Saelua, a member of the squad since 2003, is a fa'afafine and is the first transgender player to compete in a FIFA World Cup qualifier.