Unprecedented Access: ‘Onside’ Documentary Series Unveils the Heart of Major League Soccer
Table of Contents
Paul Martin, renowned for his work on acclaimed sports documentaries like “Formula 1: Drive to Survive,” “Break Point,” and “Full Swing,” brings his expertise to the world of soccer with “Onside: Major League Soccer,” an eight-part series that premiered February 21 on Apple TV+.
A lifelong Southampton FC supporter and former player, Martin executive produced the series alongside James Gay-Rees and Hillary Olsen. “MLS was able to facilitate a level of access into the world’s most popular sport that I just don’t think you would get with some othre leagues,” Martin saeid, highlighting the unique chance afforded by Box to Box Films’ involvement. For what we do, that was incredibly exciting and enticing.
compelling Narratives and Big Personalities
The series focuses on compelling narratives from the 2024 MLS season, offering insightful perspectives for both seasoned fans and newcomers. Martin and his team sought out captivating characters, finding an abundance within the league. A key example is the contrasting managerial styles in the Hell is Real Derby. FC Cincinnati’s pat Noonan’s “old-school, let’s f—ing go get it”
approach is juxtaposed with Columbus Crew’s Wilfried Nancy’s “holistic view,”
shaped by his French and Canadian roots. Martin explained their approach: “You need to find those individual stories that operate on different levels and have that subtext where people can say, ‘OK this is a story about Wilfried and Pat, but I can see it’s representative of something bigger going on within those clubs, within those cities and within those leagues.’ It’s about finding stories that can operate on those levels.”
Rising Star: Cavan sullivan’s Journey
The documentary also follows the remarkable rise of Philadelphia Union homegrown midfielder Cavan Sullivan, who at 14 years old, made his historic MLS debut. Initially hesitant, Martin’s perception changed after meeting sullivan and his family. “Fourteen-year-old kids don’t make for great TV in this kind of space,”
he initially thought. “Then I sat down with his family and they’re amazing. Then you sit down with Cavan and you’re like, ‘Oh my god, this kid has to be in this show. Whatever ‘it’ is, he’s got ‘it’ in abundance.’”
The film crew’s unobtrusive approach allowed them to capture intimate moments, providing viewers with a deeper understanding of Sullivan’s family dynamic. Sullivan himself described the experience: “It was certainly fun. The Box to Box crew created a great habitat with my family. We met them in one day, and they were already eating dinner with us. It was strange. There was a mic guy,two people in the house,guys coming in and out of the van in my driveway,but it was easy to adapt.”
Narrative Focus: The Power of Obsession
Martin emphasizes the athletes’ primary focus on their sport,noting that their dedication to winning ofen overshadows the documentary’s presence. “We’ve been around enough elite sportsmen and elite teams to know what happens is they’re all obsessed with something bigger than our documentary series, right? they’ve got a day job that consumes them on every level – and it has to,”
he stated. “Even though that’s in their head, I guarantee that for most of them, it takes 10 minutes before they forget our cameras are even there.”
The series opens with a Matchday 1 clash between the LA Galaxy and Inter Miami CF, featuring stars like Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets. the season concludes with LA Galaxy winning their record sixth MLS Cup title, rallying around injured star Riqui Puig, providing a fitting bookend to the series.
Appealing to All
The creators aimed to create a documentary that would resonate with both long-time MLS fans and newcomers. Martin recognized that most viewers have a basic understanding of soccer, allowing him to focus on crafting compelling narratives. The result is a series that he believes will appeal to a broad audience. “I think what I really enjoy about watching this show is you see the same levels of passion, of dedication, of sacrifice as you do in any major soccer league around the world.This is as real as it gets, and I think there’s enough moments in the show that demonstrate that,”
he said. “That’s what excites me the most is people are really going to see this show and go, ‘Wow, MLS is as real a soccer league as the Premier League or Serie A or any of those others.’”
Discover the Heart of Major League Soccer: A Deeper Look into the “Onside” Documentary Series
Senior Editor:
Imagine a world where the electric energy of soccer, the beating heart of Major League Soccer (MLS), is captured in an eight-part documentary series. Paul Martin, a connoisseur of sports documentaries known for his work on “formula 1: Drive to Survive,” brings his expertise to one of the most popular sports globally through “Onside: Major League soccer.” how does this series manage to give unprecedented access to the often-hidden dimensions of soccer?
Expert:
“Onside: Major League Soccer” stands out through its unparalleled access,a “biggest secret” of sorts—offering viewers an intimate glimpse behind the meticulously painted facades of what takes place beyond the manicured pitches of the MLS. The series breaks new ground by capturing moments and team dynamics that would otherwise remain in the shadows with its collaborative efforts between prominent industry figures and the league itself. Unlike other leagues where hierarchical boundaries may limit such close documentation,MLS opened its doors,serving as a living laboratory for sports history in the making. This raw, unfiltered outlook resonates profoundly with audiences worldwide, echoing that soccer’s universal heartbeat truly thrums within MLS.
Senior Editor:
paul martin emphasized building narratives that transcend individual stories, like those of Wilfried Nancy and Pat Noonan during the Hell is Real Derby. Can you delve deeper into how storytelling techniques in “Onside” craft these larger-than-life narratives and what they meen for soccer’s global narrative?
Expert:
The narrative framework in “Onside” skillfully interweaves personal tales with overarching themes reflective of broader soccer culture. The dichotomy between NSC Cincinnati’s Pat Noonan’s “old-school” approach and Columbus Crew’s Wilfried Nancy’s “holistic” style underscores the diversity within the league—personifying the cultural and tactical melting pot that defines modern soccer. These stories aren’t merely individual; they reflect the broader cultural,past,and social contexts of thier clubs and communities. It showcases how personal stories, ambitions, and challenges echo broader socio-cultural dynamics in places like Cincinnati and Columbus and contribute to the global narrative of soccer evolution.by portraying these narratives, “Onside” invites viewers to see beyond the game itself, recognizing MLS as a stage for dynamic human experiences.
Senior Editor:
Cavan Sullivan’s journey from a teenager to an MLS star highlights the series’ ability to capture transformative sports stories. What makes Sullivan’s story so compelling,and how does it enrich our understanding of talent progress in soccer?
Expert:
Cavan Sullivan’s journey is quintessential as it encapsulates the exhilarating trajectory of raw talent meeting opportunity and planning. His story, emblematic of “the Landon Donovan Phenomenon” of the MLS, showcases a homegrown talent surging through the ranks to ink history as one of the youngest players to earn an MLS debut.This narrative isn’t just about an remarkable achievement; it’s a testament to grassroots development,mentorship,and community support—key pillars in MLS’s talent development strategy. The intimate portrayal in “Onside,” facilitated by meticulous and unobtrusive filming, allows audiences worldwide to witness the subtleties of Sullivan’s growth—with such distinct characteristics becoming integral to understanding the sports narrative beyond the limelight.
- Key Takeaways:
– The blend of youth potential and opportunity,
– The rigorous support systems within MLS,
– The narrative highlighting that talent development is a marathon, not a sprint.
Senior Editor:
Martin illustrated that despite the presence of cameras, athletes remain fixated on their primary mission of winning. How does this obsession with performance reflect on the broader theme of dedication across all sports?
Expert:
Athletes’ devotion to their craft mirrors a universal sports tenet where the ‘game within the game’ becomes the focus. This dedication—surmised by lentz’s narrative—demolishes the facade of external distractions and spotlights the intrinsic motivation underpinning athletes’ pursuits. It reveals that at six levels of competition, whether MLS or any premier professional arena, the primal obsession remains consistent: mastery and victory. By highlighting figures like Lionel Messi and the fervor surrounding an MLS Cup title climax, “Onside” portrays this universal truth; elite athletes’ singular focus on performance becomes a unifying thread across global sporting landscapes.
Senior Editor:
With the aim of captivating both veteran MLS followers and newcomers, how does “Onside: Major League Soccer” achieve its broad appeal and articulate the essence of American soccer?
Expert:
Through intricate storytelling that marries raw, authentic game moments with rich, character-driven narratives, “Onside” reveals MLS as more than a league—it’s a saga narrating passion, ambition, and cultural diversity. The series skillfully highlights how dedication, sacrifice, and intensity are as prevalent within MLS as in other legendary leagues like the Premier League or Serie A. This comparative acknowledgment,underpinned by global fans’ affinity for the sport’s soul,broadens its appeal. By exhibiting the visceral energy and commitment within MLS, “Onside” positions the league on equal footing with Europe’s storied traditions, attracting an audience with varying degrees of familiarity to American soccer yet unified in their gratitude for compelling sports stories.
Final Thoughts:
“Onside: Major League Soccer” illuminates the profound intricacies of soccer through its richly woven tapestry of personal and communal stories, crafting a series as authentic as the sport itself. For those who wish to delve deeper into the MLS universe, this documentary serves as both an introduction and an intriguing chronicle of soccer’s evolving heart.
We invite you to share your reflections. Do you find American soccer as riveting as its world-renowned counterparts? join the conversation in the comments below or share your thoughts on social media!