In the 1870s, Scottish immigrants brought soccer to Kearny, New Jersey. A few years later, they brought it to Brazil. While the game was spreading across Europe and South America, it was being played in the streets, parks, and playgrounds of a small town just across the meadows from New York City… but a world away. And in the 1980s, when the flame of American soccer was flickering, it was three kids from Kearny who helped save it.
SOCCERTOWN, USA is the story of Tab Ramos, John Harkes, and Tony Meola, who grew up with a passion for the game in a country that didn’t share it. It’s the story of the 1990 and 1994 World Cups, when these childhood friends formed the backbone of the United States team that willed its way to famous victories and inspired the generations that would come after.
But it’s also the story of a town – an American town – in which we can see the past, the present, and the future of the world’s game.
SOCCERTOWN, USA premiered last year at the Kicking + Screening Soccer Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award. The plan this year was to go to some other festivals, then find distribution. World events have… overtaken that plan. Since we can’t travel and show our film – and since there are a lot of people (like us) looking for something to watch right now – we decided to make this “educational cut” available for free. We hope you enjoy it.
Written by Tom McCabe and Kirk Rudell
Directed and Edited by Robert Penzel
Executive Produced by Kiko Doran, Tom McCabe, and Kirk Rudell
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Amazing Documentary, as someone from NJ and that grew up playing soccer. This has inspired me to play again and to also coach. So grateful for finding this awesome story!
Why is this no longer available to watch? Is there anywhere else I can watch it?
This documentary gets better every time I watch it. Thanks for creating and keeping it available to all.
As a Brazilian I feel deeply sorry for Leornado's act, that was messed up.
Glad something beautiful came out this game … 59:27 Bebeto saying "I Love you to Romario" …
I grew up in Harrison and while I am a little younger than these guys I remember that rivalry clearly.
K-TOWN!!!!!!!!!
Rematch of the 1982 Final in 2021. Freehold Twp vs Kearney on Saturday November 20th for the Group IV title 39 years later.
If you look at the names that are given to our football teams they were usually raised in factories /pits/steelworjs/shipyards etc, the emblems on our badges give it away, canny video, best regards from County Durham England, Newcastle United fan, TOON TOON BLACK N WHITE ARMY
I haven't Seen Harks in over 40 years
Anyway I can get a Harkes match worn USA Jersey??
REALLY, REALLY GREAT DOCUMENTARY THANK YOU!!.
Born to a Mexican American family but I’m always going to support USA soccer this is such an increíble story made love soccer & ny country even more
What a great story… Never would of thought .. Makes sense that 90s generation usmnt was truly full of pride and hunger ..
I was the production assistant for this film! Working with Kiko and Tom was an awesome experience. So happy to see this has nearly 80k views as of writing. Can't wait to see what else comes from Soccertown Media.
This is awesome!
yo that's my uncle and dad in those clips of the soccer games and pictures.
55:43
I played during this era and played against Kearny , it was a special time for soccer players. Memories ….
This is great being a person from England is it interesting seeing how football developed in other countries i saw the new york cosmos documentary a while ago but it's good to see something else from the states very interesting
I love this video. I was born and raised in Paisley, Scotland, and now live in Allen, Texas. It’s amazing to see how the Clark family brought the mills and soccer to America. My mother worked in the Ferguslie Mills in Paisley, and amazing to see the influence on the Kearney community. My sons team once the U16 USYS National Championship in 2017 and makes me so proud of our heritage watching this video. Can’t wait to visit the Scots Club after the COVID issue. Good luck to everyone involved at Kearney Thistle FC….
I'd like to see a similar documentary about Bethlehem Steel F.C.
i would like to here about other town freehold saying at the end they are the soccer city Documentary about freehold saying there the true soccer town
when the soccer fans heard the MLS is coming and the players too
and not just the players but also the fans school student and community collage's & rest of Colligate's and the rest of the Americans think and what are they going to say
i wonder do you have the Documentary how did USA got the right to stage the 1994 world cup how did start who got the ball rolling yes i said it sorry couldn't help it
to Columbia soccer is like a religion is a to them plus there threaten by Columbia players parent's and bet on other players
i wonder if Kearny should or could have it's own club pro-team Kearny fc
AMAZING DOCUMENTARY! Soccer in the United States has tremendous history, it's just that people don't know about it. Thank you for expanding my knowledge of the history of the beautiful game in the USA.
The Simple fact that back then, , Suburban Cablevision was the Cable TV provider when it first came out in Harrison and Kearny. THey had TV 3 Sports. Which covered all of Northern NJ High School Sports. Back then, were up and coming Broadcasters, such as Bruce Beck, ( who now covers the Rangers and doesnt Local News Sports, Matt Loughlin, who works with the Nets, and Most Notably, Bob Ley of ESPN. Bob Did MANY Harrison Kearny Soccer games and full well knows the history of their Rivalry. He is also aware that Tab, John, and Tony all played for Thistle. Along with Rutgers Womens Head Coach Michael O'Neil and Monmouth College Mens Coach Robert McCourt. For him to never to a 30 for 30 or a Behind the lines is astonishing. His loss and Kiko and Companies gain. Well done Kiko!
Great show unfortunately I cannot show it to my kids , my u9 travel soccer team/ families due to the low life’s filthy , R/rated language. Anyway to list a CLEAN/ no cursing version for the youth, the future of US soccer? No reason for dirtbag boy to be cursing, he’s the only one ??
Excellent!!!
I posted the whole Kearny-Freehold Township state final (that this video shows clips from) to You Tube if any Grant Pearson fans out there want to watch the whole game. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrRH0FT2zcU
Crazy to think that football (soccer) had been introduced in the US longer than some of the greatest footballing countries of today yet it j didn’t catch on nationally. Prolly bc the US plays so many other sports and so the popularity was diluted
great documentry..thanks
Paul van dyk is married to a colombian
They couldve beaten brazil or given them a headache.
Rest of the world : Football. USA: Sucker
Been Living in kearny all my life, and I hope that one day these soccer academies would drop their prices and really let anyone play, I seen to many good soccer players come and go because they werent able to afford the payments on being a team its really sad
Celtic fan wearing the top in New Jersey 46:13 lol
I'm Scottish and didn't know this story. Very interesting and it was great at the start showing the Scots/American clubs. It's pretty much what we do over here here. If you cannot get to a match for whatever reason, you go to the pub, have a drink and a laugh and sing. Loved this.
Magic
Excellent documentary brought back a lot memories and i noticed they would not even say Eric Wynalda's name especially since he lost his cool against the Czechs and score the free kick in the 94 world cup
its just hard hearing it called soccer.
Great story, lived it, played against these guys in state final and at Kearny Hs for EBHS and have followed their great careers. Thanks to all 3
It's a damn shame that here in the U.S. Futbol/soccer is looked down and stereotyped with "soccer moms". I know a lot of great athletes who wanted to play Futebol/soccer but they were afraid their father will pick on them for not choosing football with hands or basketball because they see it here as a sissy sport, what a shame I hope this changes soon with the MLS getting Better. Kids need to know there is more than just a superbowl,imagine playing and hearing the Champions league anthem….I agree with the comment sections, BRING STREET FUTBOL TO MORE PLACES.
That No.16 is lucky that none of you “ Gun- Tootin “ Yanks didn’t put a couple through his kneecaps a couple of weeks later ……..Hey American kids – if you wanna support an English team with Soul , support Portsmouth FC – plenty of “ Hooligans “ ???❤️