“Jerry Maguire,” “Every Sunday,” and 14 other top 14 American soccer movies

American soccer, along with baseball, is considered the national sport of the United States. The Super Bowl, the final playoff game, is one of the major sporting events that attracts tens of millions of spectators. American soccer is recognized as one of the most highly traumatic sports. Scientists have conducted studies and concluded that a collision between players on the field is equal in force to being involved in a car accident. If it weren’t for strong protective gear, fatalities would be unavoidable.

“All or Nothing”, USA, 2005.

Genre: komedie

Director: Peter Segal

Main actors: Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Burt Reynolds.

Age limit: 18+

The original movie is called The Longest Yard and is a remake of the movie of the same name, where the main role was played by Burt Reynolds. By the way, and in the new version he plays one of the characters.

The main character is a former sports star, once brilliant quarterback “Pittsburgh Steelers” Paul Crewe was accused of a contract match. The athlete found solace in alcohol, which leads to unfortunate consequences. Paul gets into an accident while drunk and gets a real prison sentence. Warden Hazen wants to organize a match between guards and prisoners, and he offers Paul to lead a team of his cellmates. Hazen needs the victory to raise his importance, which means that the prisoners must lose. If he loses, Paul’s sentence will be reduced. But Crewe turns out to be a very good coach and gathers a powerful team out of seemingly worthless athletes. And he faces the question – is he ready to compromise his principles and drain the game?

In the filming of the movie took part former players in American soccer. For example, Bill Goldberg, after completing his career in soccer, became WCW world champion in heavyweight, a star of wrestling – he is called the inventor of the technique “harpoon”. Bob Sapp played a little soccer, but successfully realized himself in wrestling, mixed martial arts and kickboxing. The famous Terry Crews established himself as a good comedic actor, but behind his shoulders a brilliant career as a soccer defender in the clubs “Rams”, “San Diego Chargers”, “Washington Redskins” and “Philadelphia Eagles”. But it was Indian wrestler Dalip Singh Rana, nicknamed The Great Kali, who made the biggest mark in this movie. Although he said only a couple of phrases – for a giant with a height of 2 meters 21 centimeters it was enough. His appearance alone was intimidating.

“Jerry Maguire”, USA, 1996.

Genre: Drama

Directed by: Cameron Crowe

Main actors: Tom Cruise, Renée Zellweger, Cube Gooding Jr.

Age Limit: 18+

According to the American Film Institute, this film about Jerry Maguire, a sports agent who succeeds almost single-handedly, is one of the top ten best sports movies ever made. Tom Cruise won a Golden Globe for his role, and Cube Gooding Jr. won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

Jerry works for a major sports company, making multi-million dollar deals. A meeting with the son of an injured player changes his attitude to life and to work. Jerry writes a defamatory essay, because of which he comes into conflict with his superiors. In the hearts of Maguire quits his job and opens his own firm. And while his only client becomes Rod Tidwell – a very talented, but unrestrained player “Arizona Cardinals”.

“12 Mighty Orphans”, USA, 2021

Genre: Drama

Directed by: Ty Roberts

Main actors: Luke Wilson, Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall, Vinessa Shaw.

Age limit: 18+

Based on a true story, this film tells the story of the Mighty Mites soccer team from an orphanage in Fort Worth, Texas. World War I veteran and legendary coach Rusty Russell gave up all privileges and chose the kids from the orphanage as his charges. It is in this house that he too once grew up, left here by his own mother. Russell realizes that skinny, exhausted and exhausted by disease and hunger boys will not be able to resist the strong players. Then he comes up with different offensive and defensive techniques to outwit his opponents. Almost all of Rusty Russell’s strategies are used in modern American soccer. And the orphan team itself with its will to win attracted the attention of President Franklin Roosevelt.

“The High Game”, USA, 2014

Genre: biographical drama

Director: Thomas Carter

Main actors: James Caviezel, Michael Chiklis, Alexander Ludwig

Age Limit: 12+

This is the true story of coach Bob Ladouceur, who holds the national record in U.S. amateur sports. At the age of 25, he took over a weak De La Salle High School team. Prior to Bob’s arrival, the club could not rise from the bottom of the rankings. The first season under the leadership of the young coach was marked by victory. And it was followed by 12 more without a single defeat! The school ended up with 151 consecutive wins and broke all records.

“In a blaze of glory”, USA, Germany, 2004.

Genre: Drama

Directed by: Peter Berg

Main actors: Derek Luke, Lucas Black, Jay Hernandez, Garrett Hedlund.

Age Limit: 12+

The movie is based on a book by journalist Harry Bissinger. At the end of the 80’s he studied the influence of high school American soccer in society. According to the author, for many kids from rural areas and small towns this sport became an opportunity to get a scholarship and escape from the backwoods. Bissinger settled in the Texas town of Odessa and interacted with players from the local Permian High Panthers team for an entire playing season.

On the eve of the championship, the team’s forward, on whom the coach has high hopes, suffers a serious injury. Now the athletes must completely reorganize their strategy and play without their prized player.

“We Are One Team”, USA, 2000

Genre: Drama

Director: McGee

Main actors: Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Fox, Anthony Mackie.

Age Limit: 18+

One of the most dramatic movies about American soccer, based on real tragic events. On November 14, 1970, a plane crash occurred, which later became infamously known as the Marshall University Football Crash. There were 75 people aboard Flight 932, including 45 members of the soccer team. In the town of Harrington, where the athletes were from, it became a day of mourning. To commemorate the tragedy, a memorial fountain has been installed outside the university, and the water is turned off each year on Nov. 14.

The Marshall University soccer team was rebuilt thanks to young coach Jack Lengyel. He took over the club, recruited new players, and assembled a coaching staff. Through his efforts, the soccer program was saved and the team fought its way to the championships.

“Brian Banks,” USA, 2018

Genre: biographical drama

Director: Tom Shadyac

Main actors: Aldis Hodge, Greg Kinnear, Sherri Shepherd

Age Limit: 18+

Sixteen-year-old Brian Banks could have been an American soccer star. But a false accusation of rape landed him in prison. However, six years later, a former classmate who wrote a statement on Brian admitted that she had wronged him. On such a step the girl was persuaded by her mother to get a million-dollar compensation. Brian had to go through a lot of legal delays, proving his innocence. In 2012, the athlete was acquitted and canceled the sentence. A year later, he signed a contract with the National Football League club Atlanta Falcons.

“Second Chance”, USA, 2006

Genre: Drama

Director: Phil Joanu

Main actors: Dwayne Johnson, Ixzibit, L. Scott Caldwell, Leon Rippy.

Age Limit: 18+

Sean Porter is an educator at a correctional facility for troubled teens who decides to put together his own soccer team. The coach believes that sports will help the boys get on the right path. Guys begin training, but conflicts and constant quarrels prevent them from adjusting to the game. Gradually the teenagers get into it, they have excitement and desire to win. They are already ready to take part in the championship, but they get a ban. Sean is ready to fight for his players – after all, for many guys this is the only chance to get out of the slums.

“Confronting the Giants”, USA, 2006.

Genre: Drama

Director: Alex Kendrick

Main Actors: Alex Kendrick, Shannon Fields, Tracy Goode, Bailey Cave

Age Limit: 12+

The head coach of a Christian college team is going through some tough times. His marriage is falling apart, the club is losing and can’t rise from the bottom of the rankings, and the athletes themselves are desperate and playing poorly. But the coach convinces his charges that faith in God will give them the strength to win the upcoming championship.

“Big,” USA, 2016

Genre: Drama

Director: David Hunt

Main actors: Neal McDonagh, Leslie Easterbrook, Christopher Severio

Age limit: 16+

The movie is based on real events. Brandon Belsworth has dreamed of playing American soccer since he was a kid. But the big, fat, clumsy teenager (and with thick-lensed glasses) was only ridiculed. Brandon compensated for his physical data by incredible persistence. For several years of grueling training, he turned from a 140-pound fat guy into one of the most powerful players. At the same time Brandon did not lose weight, but turned fat into muscle mass. Soon Belsworth became a lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks soccer team. All doors were open before the young man, and the unusual athlete could have become a real star. If not for the tragedy…

“Overcoming”, USA, 2006.

Genre: Drama

Director: Erikson Kor

Main actors: Mark Wahlberg, Greg Kinnear, Elizabeth Banks.

Age Limit: 18+

A true story about how dreams can come true at any age. For example, like the famous Vince Papale, a former teacher who at the age of 30 began a brilliant career as an American soccer player. Yet Vince never played for any team even as a student. One day he learned that his favorite team, the Philadelphia Eagles, had an unusual casting call. Coach Dick Vermeil decided to try all comers for the place of one of the players on the team. For perseverance and unexpected rise, Vince received the nickname Rocky in honor of the hero Sylvester Stallone.

“The Way Way Back”, USA, 2011

Genre: Drama

Director: Don Handfield

Main actors: Brian Presley, Melanie Lynskey, Kurt Russell.

Age Limit: 16+

Scott works as a fireman and keeps a small farm. He was once a promising soccer player, but a serious injury ruined his career and dreams. Scott often wonders how his fate would have turned out if he had avoided that injury. And one day, in a surprising way, he goes back in time!

“The Invisible Side”, USA, 2009.

Genre: biographical drama

Director: John Lee Hancock

Main Actors: Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron, Tim McGraw

Age Limit: 18+

The film about soccer player Michael Oher made a splash, grossing $300 million at the box office. Sandra Bullock, who played the role of Michael’s adoptive mother, won an Oscar. And really dramatic picture about the difficult fate of an orphan can not leave indifferent. But Michael himself – a player of NFL clubs “Baltimore Ravens”, “Tennessee Titans” and “Carolina Panthers” – was furious. In 2023, he sued his foster parents, LeAnn and Sean Touhy. The athlete claimed that they had purposely filed a guardianship rather than an adoption. This gave them full authority to receive a percentage of all commercial transactions. In the end, the Tui family and their two biological children made millions from the book and the movie based on it. And Oher himself didn’t get a dime! The court signed an order to terminate custody and ordered to pay Michael almost $ 140 thousand, although many and reproached Michael in ingratitude – say, if not for the foster family, he would never have achieved success in sports.

“Every Sunday”, USA, 1999.

Genre: Drama

Director: Oliver Stone

Main actors: Al Pacino, Jamie Foxx, Dennis Quaid, Cameron Diaz.

Age limit: 18+

The National Football League initially wanted to sponsor this picture. However, after reading the script, the league leadership refused not only to sponsor the movie, but also forbade the use of paraphernalia and logos. Owners of major clubs were not happy that the director Oliver Stone decided to show the underside of the sports world. However, the director did without NFL money, and the drama became one of the best movies about sports.

Miami Sharks coach Tony D’Amato faces not only problems on the field, but also internal intrigue. The club has a change of management – the daughter of the previous owner, who sees in promising players only a way to make big money, is at the head.

“Remembering the Titans”, USA, 2000.

Genre: biographical drama

Director: Boaz Yakin

Main Actors: Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Wood Harris

Age Limit: 12+

The movie is based on the true story of Herman Boone, a black coach of a high school American soccer team who faces the problem of racial discrimination. White athletes boycott the assignment, skipping practices and losing games on purpose. Then the former head coach becomes Boone’s assistant to help him unify the team and gain credibility.

“Understudies”, USA, 2000

Genre: komedie

Director: Howard Deutch

Main actors: Keanu Reeves, Gene Hackman, Brooke Langton, Rhys Ivans.

Age Limit: 16+

In the midst of a championship, professional NFL players go on strike. According to the rules, the tournament cannot be stopped and duplicate teams must take the field. For the underdog team, the Sentinels, this is a chance to even the odds with their opponents and make the playoffs. The club’s management hires the once famous coach Jimmy McGinty, who must recruit a team of understudies in a short period of time. The players are non-professional athletes, including a bartender, laborers and even a diver.