Applause filled the house at the end of the movie and the consensus was general that "Goal! The Dream Begins" delivered the respect that the game of soccer and lovers of the sport in this part of the world have long sought.

While most all previous efforts basically reduced the sport to a joke, "Goal!" obviously had on board people who know the game, know about the game, and had the knowledge and ability to share the beauty of the game with movie goers.

The powerful storyline featured a healthy dose of human interest angle with the elder in the setting being granted the role of the enabler of the success of her grandson and star of the movie, Santiago.

And Santiago! Ably played by Kuno Becker, the role easily moved even the most stoic to tears as he went through his trials and travails, taking a chance on the word of some stranger to risk his "residency" in America to head out thousands of miles to an unguaranteed stab at soccer fortune in Newcastle, England. He went armed with his soccer skills and his grandma's good wishes. Both brought him perfectly timed interventions to sustain his sojourn to eventual success.

My special appreciation for the knowledge that the production shares with the soccer community. When I yell "pass! pass!!" at practice or scrimmage, it is simply for reasons perfectly illustrated by the respected boss of Santiago's team - the ball can always travel faster than man. Let the ball do the running, folks. Let the ball do the running. Pass PROMPTLY to the open guy.

Go see the movie. If you're already a player, it should afford you even better appreciation for ball movement among other things; if you're not much of a player, this should be your introduction to the "cool factor" of the most beautiful sport in the whole world. "Goal!" is a worthwhile effort.

Thanks to all who came out for the SGV Pistons' pre-tourney match, the movie, and dinner. Great time. Soccer Rocks! Soccer community super rocks!

Bolaji (May 13, 2006)