Paramount+ Original Documentary Series “The Billion Dollar Goal” Tells History of American Soccer [VIDEO]

Paramount+ today announced the three-part original soccer documentary series THE BILLION DOLLAR GOAL will premiere exclusively on the service in the U.S. on Monday, December 11. Students get 25% OFF Paramount+! Spend your study breaks streaming the NFL on CBS and so much more. Redeem now!

THE BILLION DOLLAR GOAL traces the extraordinary evolution of soccer in the United States, from its beginnings as an immigrant’s game to the historic moment in 1989 when Paul Caligiuri’s unforgettable goal ended a 40-year World Cup qualification drought. The series, featuring the late acclaimed journalist Grant Wahl as supervising producer, unveils the untold story of the sport’s struggle for recognition in a soccer-skeptical nation as told by Wahl and other prominent voices in American soccer.

Through a rich tapestry of never-before-seen archival footage, animation, and expert interviews, THE BILLION DOLLAR GOAL delves into the decades-long journey that defined American soccer. It shines a spotlight on the numerous setbacks, failed attempts to spark interest, and the enduring dedication of players, coaches, and fans who never lost faith in the beautiful game.

Join Grant Wahl and other soccer enthusiasts on a journey through time, as THE BILLION DOLLAR GOAL narrates the tumultuous history of American soccer – celebrating its resilience, its road to redemption and the promise of its bright future. It’s a tale of passion, heartbreak and triumph that is sure to resonate with soccer enthusiasts and sports fans alike, reminding them of the remarkable odyssey that led to that “billion dollar goal” and the launchpad of the modern thriving American soccer community.

“Today, American sports fans are more aware of the rising profile of soccer in this country than ever. But no one really knows what it took to get to this point or the role that crucial goal and World Cup qualification played in it all,” said co-director and editor Anthony J. Cortese. “There was no bigger cheerleader or authority on the game’s journey in this country than Grant Wahl, and from the very beginning he was the natural and perfect voice to help tell this story.”

THE BILLION DOLLAR GOAL is co-directed by CBS Sports’ Pete Radovich alongside Cortese. Wahl sat down with Radovich in a wide-ranging 150-minute interview in August 2022 that serves as the backbone for much of the docuseries’ content and direction before Wahl’s untimely passing in December 2022.

THE BILLION DOLLAR GOAL is a Paramount+ Original and the latest installment from STORIES FROM THE BEAUTIFUL GAME, Paramount+’s soccer documentary collection that also includes FOOTBALL MUST GO ON and Emmy-nominated SIR ALEX FERGUSON: NEVER GIVE IN.