So, the other day I got an e-mail from MLS (presumably my address was given to them by my ticket rep) pimping the new soccer movie Goal. I am very curious why MLS is aligning itself with a movie that is about: A) A kid who was of Premiership quality that was missed by all the MLS scouts and coaches despite playing and living in an MLS market, thus pointing out, indrectly, how poorly MLS scouts, particularly the Latino markets. B) Goes and signs for big money abroad, despite MLS saying their goal is to get all the US talent to stay home. (I know it doesn't and never will happen, but Garber said it again this week.) C) Is about a player who, despite living in the US - and maybe being born here; I haven't seen the movie so I don't know - chooses to play for Mexico over the US, another image that doesn't exactly speak well of American soccer. So, I'm curious what MLS gets out of this in terms of it's image because I don't see this movie at all saying anything positive about MLS - again, I haven't seen it so I don't know for sure, but it damn sure doesn't appear to on the surface. Again, very curious to see MLS promoting this movie.
I had a similar thought, but in the end, you're looking at it from a very knowledgable fan's perspective. The hope is that the average moviegoer will like the film and possibly think about checking out an MLS game.
I'm with you......I was kinda curious about these issues too. I guess we'd have to see the movie first to make a better observation. You had some great thoughts & very well written!!
because it's about soccer. And they need all the attention they can get. It's a pretty good movie but it will go away quickly in the states, it think. And the other two parts won't ever get released here. That's my prediction.
ADIDAS... The movie is a feature-length add for Adidas who gives MLS mucho dinero. There are numerous scenes in the movie early on in L.A. where MLS is mentioned in positive light. There's even some MLS jerseys and an MLS logo prominently displayed a couple of times. Plus, anything that promotes soccer in the USA is good for MLS, in the long run. BTW, the player is an illegal in the US so I don't think he would be eligible for the national team.
Well because in America people don't like soccer and the MLS is not making the money that it should so by promoting "Goal" the movie they are essentially promoting the MLS. If people see this movie and think wow what a great story then maybe it will draw attention to the MLS.
THanks for the info. I didn't realize any of that, particularly about the adidas product placement in the movie, which would explain a lot.
Wrong interpretation of the movie, the kid simply isn't good enough for MLS so they ship him off to that lesser league in England.
Newcastle is promoted as "a big club" "a very big club".......it is a rags to riches type of story. Simply stated that NUFC is perceived to be and is a much higher achievement than a MLS club.
*sigh* Is there no humor left on these boards? Ok MLS likes to make money. Movie pays MLS to advertise it. MLS advertises it. MLS makes money.
I assume the movie distributors are paying for ads at MLS stadiums, web sites etc. In other words, the answer to "why" MLS is promoting the movie is the same reason that MLS does most things it does: $$$$$$$$
It's a movie about soccer that is getting great press as compared to the lame Game of Their Lives. I support MLS putting themselves behind a quality flick about the sport.
C) Is about a player who, despite living in the US - and maybe being born here; I haven't seen the movie so I don't know - chooses to play for Mexico over the US, another image that doesn't exactly speak well of American soccer. In the movie, someone asks Santiago either about his playing days in Mexico or what part of Mexico he is from, and he clearly states he is from Los Angeles, not Mexico. Since this is a trilogy, with the climax at the world cup, I wonder which country he will represent.
I blame Trecker. Seriously, though, I was reading Roger Ebert's review and one of the plot points is that the main character has to fly to London via Mexico City because he doesn't have a passport. So the illegal immigrant thing figures into the plot.
I saw a bootleg copy of it and it was a good movie with good soccer and good story. Now go see it and support soccer in whatever way shape or form they throw it at us!
Santiago is going to represent Argentina in the world cup. Allen hopkins who is a producer on the movie said things happen in the movie with immigration and he ends up representing Argentina, but he wouldnt elaborate. if i find the interview i will post it.
dunord posted this chat with Allen Hopkins the other day (FSC announcer, and associate producer of the trilogy), and he said that Santiago plays for the Argentines in the third movie, and that the immigration subplot figures highly. btw, when did Hopkins go to ESPN? what games is he doing? i didn't hear a peep about this before reading the chat... has the Stoner/Waldorf/Celo/D'oh!Brien fortress finally been breached? oh god, please say yes.
I heard that in the third film Santiago finally gets to Buenos Aires, where Maradona bites off his middle finger, maniacally yells "The Finger of God", and falls into a volcano.