Series synopsis
Soccer Meets America is an American documentary television series that premiered on The Roku Channel on May 3, 2026. It ended on May 3, 2026. It was created by Phil Wall. It stars Bruce Arena, John Harkes, Werner Herzog and John Green.
From immigrant roots and early pro leagues, to the thrilling 1994 FIFA World Cup and the rise of a new generation of fans, the series traces how men's pro soccer finally became part of the fabric of American culture.
Premise
From immigrant roots and early pro leagues, to the thrilling 1994 FIFA World Cup and the rise of a new generation of fans, the series traces how men's pro soccer finally became part of the fabric of American culture.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Bruce Arena as Self
- John Harkes as Self
- Werner Herzog as Self
- John Green as Self
- Phil Wall as Narrator (voice)
- Chris Henderson as Self
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 3 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 3 | May 2, 2026 | May 3, 2026 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Hidden Game Despite passionate fans and Pelé's superstar arrival in the NASL, the sport stumbled and slipped from the spotlight; when the pro league collapsed in the 1980s, American soccer seemed finished; then came the 1984 Olympics and a startling success. |
May 3, 2026 |
| 2 |
The '94 Effect U.S. Soccer Federation president Alan Rothenberg takes on the task of staging the 1994 FIFA World Cup; he must deliver a tournament that satisfies FIFA and the global soccer community while convincing Americans that soccer belongs in their country. |
May 3, 2026 |
| 3 |
The Soccer Boom Major League Soccer launches in 1996 with the promise of building on the success of the 1994 World Cup; cable television, the internet, and video games connect American fans to soccer around the world. |
May 3, 2026 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | The Roku Channel |
|---|---|
| First aired | May 3, 2026 |
| Last aired | May 3, 2026 |
| Runtime | 141 minutes |
| Status | ended |