Vice TV Docuseries ‘Soccer’s American Dream’: How and Where to Watch

Soccer has never been America’s favorite pastime, but with Lionel Messi’s arrival in Major League Soccer and the approaching World Cup, it’s evident that the world’s most popular sport has at least established a presence in the United States. Before the games begin next month, Vice TV’s new docuseries delves into the tumultuous history of American soccer.

Soccer’s American Dream is a six-part series that airs exclusively on Vice. Some episodes will be released the following day on YouTube. The first episode airs Tuesday, May 5, at 10 p.m. ET/PT, with new episodes airing weekly on Tuesdays until June 9.

To say soccer has had an up and down path in the United States is an understatement. The Vice series begins in 1967, with the formation of the North American Soccer League, which was intended to help popularize the sport in America. Despite luring international talent such as Brazil’s Pelé and West Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer, the league dissolved after only 17 seasons. Its replacement, Major League Soccer, was not formed until 1993, as part of the United States’ bid to host the 1994 World Cup.

Meanwhile, the United States men’s national team has struggled on the international level; their highest finish was third place in 1930, the year of the first World Cup. However, the United States women’s national team has a long history of dominance, including four FIFA Women’s World Cup titles. The Vice series will look at how the USWNT’s success was made possible by Title IX, a major civil rights law. The series also include interviews with players from the NASL, USWNT, and other leagues.

“Soccer’s American Dream tells the story of a sport that refused to fail in America,” Vice TV president Pete Gaffney said in a release. “At a time when the country is preparing to host the 2026 World Cup, this series looks back at the players, pioneers, and risk-takers who turned long odds into lasting impact – and asks what it will take for the U.S. to truly compete at the highest level.”