Film: Once In A Lifetime Ponders What Might Have Been For US Soccer

While it arrives in Austin too late to capitalize on World Cup fever, the new documentary Once In A Lifetime tells a surprising and all but forgotten story. In the late 1970's, some brilliant businessmen sold the city of New York on soccer as a stadium event and planted the seed for a huge new pro sports league...only to watch their dream fall to pieces.

The most entertaining thing here is to realize that the Cosmos presage the Yankees, Chelsea FC or Man U, and the Lakers as the first real 'superteam' with ridiculous payrolls and star-packed rosters that ensure wins and guarantee a casual fan base. This rather opulent strategy of spending heavily to draw in non-fans has been emulated time and again, and this origin story shows how it can backfire when the hype dies down.

The cast of characters here is diverse and full of egoism: Brazil's megastar Pele, Atlantic Records head Ahmet Ertegun, Warner Bros CEO Steve Ross, tempermental Italian striker Giorgio Chinaglia, and interested bystanders like Henry Kissinger and Marv Albert all tell the story of the league that self-destructed. Unfortunately, Pele was not involved in the film, which leaves a gaping hole at the narrative's center despite the film's fairly positive portrayal of the soccer icon.

While the film is too long, it is helped tremendously by a soul and disco soaked soundtrack featuring Maceo Parker, Primal Scream, James Brown, P-Funk and countless others. The pop culture aspect of the film is also a positive, as the story takes place in the midst of Studio 54 and Summer Of Sam-era New York. This provides both a easy point of reference for the viewer and some lighthearted laughs throughout the movie.

Once In A Lifetime should keep your interest, but there is little to be gained from catching it on a big screen given that ESPN produced it. Watch for it on cable soon, and shake your head at the questionable decisions and greed that may have prevented the beautiful game from ever making it big here in America.

Image via EyeQ78 on Flickr. Once In A Lifetime is now playing at the Arbor Cinema @ Great Hills. To buy a copy of a Cosmos game, check out Austinite Dave Wasser's site.