
<p>The much-anticipated film about Thomas Rongen and his time with the American Samoa national team is hitting the big screen. <em><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/next-goal-wins-movie-trailer-is-a-must-see-for-soccer-fans-20230427-WST-430430.html">Next Goal Wins</a></em> premieres at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The festival is set to start on September 7th and run for a full 10 days.</p>



<p>Filmmaker and actor Taika Waititi wrote the screenplay for the movie and directed it as well. Waititi previously collected an Academy Award for writing the hit comedy/drama <em>Jojo Rabbit</em>. The filmmaker also helped create the <em>What We Do in the Shadows</em> franchise and directed two <em>Thor</em> movies.</p>



<h5>TIFF CEO excited for movie premiere</h5>



<p>“We’re thrilled to welcome Taika back to the Festival and share his audacious take on the most popular sport in the world,” <a href="https://variety.com/2023/film/news/taika-waititi-next-goal-wins-toronto-film-festival-1235656721/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">claimed</a> TIFF CEO, Cameron Bailey. “<em>Next Goal Wins</em> is perfect for TIFF fans of the beautiful game looking for their football fix until the 2024 World Cup arrives.”</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="NEXT GOAL WINS | Official Trailer | Searchlight Pictures" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pRH5u5lpArQ?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>The Toronto International Film Festival was founded in 1976 and is one of the  largest festivals of its kind. In fact, nearly 500,000 people attend the festivities each year throughout the 10-day run. The festival has essentially become an indicator to gauge potential Oscar picks in the future. Many Academy Award-winning films get their start at the TIFF.</p>



<h2>Film follows Thomas Rongen with the American Samoa national team</h2>



<p><em>Next Goal Wins</em> follows Thomas Rongen as he transitions from coaching the United States U20 team to American Samoa. The team was of the worst national teams in the world. They previously suffered the <a href="https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/australia-31-0-american-samoa-the-loneliest-game-in-history" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heaviest defeat</a> in international soccer history. Australia beat the American Samoa 31-0 in 2001. However, Rongen helped guide the team to just their second-ever FIFA-recognized victory. Michael Fassbender stars as Rongen in the upcoming film.</p>



<p>Following its run at the TIFF, <em>Next Goal Wins</em> goes to a general release about a month later. The film hits theaters nationwide on November 17.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO &amp; Album</em></p>


Next Goal Wins, a film about the American Samoan national team and Thomas Rongen, premieres during the upcoming Toronto Film Festival.

Taika Waititi's film about Thomas Rongen set for world premiere


<p>Most soccer fans may know Thomas Rongen for his commentary on CBS Sports Golazo or beINSports. After all, the former coach usually hits the small screen full of personality with his unique suits and bow ties. However, many may not know the full story of Rongen’s life before going into broadcasting.</p>



<p>The Dutch-American played the vast majority of his soccer career here in the United States. After moving Stateside in 1979, Rongen played with various clubs up until his last stint with the American Soccer League’s Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Following his playing career, Rongen then went into coaching.</p>



<h5>Rongen hired as American Samoa manager in 2011</h5>



<p>After working his way up through the ranks, he managed several <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Major League Soccer</a> teams throughout the mid-to-late 1990s. Rongen then transitioned to working with the U20 United States team in 2001. After being let go by U.S. Soccer in 2011, the coach accepted a senior national team job. However, the position was with American Samoa, one of the worst national teams in the world.</p>



<p>The upcoming movie <em>Next Goal Wins</em> tells the story of Rongen’s time with American Samoa. Rongen was tasked with lifting the team out from the bottom of the FIFA rankings. A decade prior to the coach’s arrival to the nation, American Samoa suffered the worst defeat in international soccer history. Australia beat the team 31-0 in April of 2001. Striker Archie Thompson scored 13 goals by himself in the match.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="NEXT GOAL WINS | Official Trailer | Searchlight Pictures" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pRH5u5lpArQ?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>To put the team’s struggles into perspective, Ramin Ott is currently American Samoa’s top goal-scorer with three goals. Nevertheless, under Rongen’s guidance, American Samoa actually recorded its second-ever FIFA-recognized victory. They managed to beat Tonga 2-1 in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match.</p>



<h2>Next Goal Wins included in Rolling Stone’s 2023 movie list</h2>



<p><em>Next Goal Wins</em>, which is set to be released on November 17th, was included in a list of the most anticipated movies of 2023 by <em><a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-lists/movies-2023-marvel-barbie-martin-scorsese-oppenheimer-fast-x-the-flash-wonka-1234657776/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rolling Stone</a></em>. The film features some prominent actors as well. Michael Fassbender, formerly in <em>Inglorious Bastards</em> and <em>Steve Jobs</em>, plays Rongen in the movie. Elizabeth Moss and Will Arnett also star. The film is directed by Taika Waititi, who previously wrote and directed <em>Thor: Love and Thunder</em>.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Album</em></p>


The much-anticipated official movie trailer for Next Goal wins, a movie based on Thomas Rongen's time as American Samoa head coach, is out.

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