New USMNT documentary series showcases World Cup journey in a different light

Key Points:

• Tim Weah’s early red card against Panama was a turning point in the U.S. men’s national team’s disappointing 2024 Copa América campaign, contributing to their group-stage exit and the subsequent firing of head coach Gregg Berhalter.
• HBO will release a five-part documentary series, U.S. Against the World: Four Years With the Men’s National Soccer Team, starting June 4, offering an inside look at the team’s journey from the 2022 World Cup through the buildup to the 2026 home World Cup.
• The series showcases both on-field moments and personal lives of the players, aiming to reveal their personalities beyond athletics and highlight the team’s evolution, including the coaching transition from Berhalter to Mauricio Pochettino.
• Directors Rand Getlin and Janina Pelayo filmed over 600 hours across 300 production days, gaining deep access to players, staff, and families, despite initial challenges securing a distributor and covering complex team dynamics like the Berhalter-Reyna family conflict.
• The documentary aims to provide a raw, vulnerable portrayal of the USMNT’s struggles and aspirations, emphasizing the human side of the athletes as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup, with the final episode releasing just before the tournament opener.