Street Soccer: New York (2013)

The film begins shortly before the opening ceremonies of the 2009 Street Soccer USA Cup. It examines the lives of four players while telling the exciting story of their quest for a championship trophy. Chris, the team's captain, does his best to keep everyone on task while dealing with the memories of a childhood spent sleeping in abandoned buildings. Ray, the team's goalkeeper, overcomes injury on the field and tells the story of how he swam across the Rio Grande in hopes of achieving a better life in America. Jason, the self-proclaimed "team minister," confronts his faith as drama on the field puts his homelessness in perspective. Andres, New York's backup goalkeeper, struggles with depression and finds himself in a sudden death shootout that will change him forever. Street Soccer: New York is a story of hope, despair and inspiration. It will shatter your preconceptions of the homeless and provide an alternative to addressing one of the country's most misunderstood social issues. It's a stunning example of how sports can be used for social change.