The redemption tale of the world’s worst football group is presently fascinating audiences worldwide. Next Objective Wins is the story of how American Samoa, having actually formerly lost 31-0 to Australia, would lastly win their very first match in thirty years.
It is the story of goalkeeper Nicky Salapu, convinced to return after that traumatic defeat and winning the adoration of his boy. It is the story of Jaiyah Saelua, the very first trans lady to complete in a World Cup qualifier. It is likewise the story of Thomas Rongen.
” It has actually been a badass trip,” Rongen informs Sky Sports The Dutchman who left Amsterdam as a boy for a brand-new life in the United States, Rongen is the bad guy of Taika Waititi’s film, as depicted by Michael Fassbender, however a hero of the real story that influenced it.
In simply 3 weeks, this as soon as well known coach, who had actually won the MLS Cup in 1999, turned this group into winners. His time on the island has to do with how he altered them however likewise about how its individuals altered him, assisting him to challenge his own individual disaster.
American Samoa did not simply alter his life. It waited.
” I had actually attempted to take my life two times,” he states, matter-of-factly. His stepdaughter Nicole had actually passed away aged 19 in a cars and truck mishap in 2004. There was unsolved injury for Rongen. His partner institutionalised him. “Thank God,” he states. “I am completely beyond that today.”
The turning point was available in Polynesia. “It was a substantial reset button for me. A great deal of individual recovery occurred since of these the upper class in American Samoa. They taught me to understand what is very important in life which likewise revived my love of the video game.”
Previously in 2011, Rongen had actually been fired for the very first time. “I remained in such a bad location. I was driven by worry of failure. I had actually enjoyed the video game. I lost that someplace down the line in the negative expert environment.” He was convinced to take a brand-new obstacle.
He held out no terrific hopes. He did not even understand where American Samoa was on the map. “To be actually truthful with you, I did not go there with the state of mind of winning, rather honestly.” And yet, how he attained that stays a source of fascination over a years on.
” Other foreign coaches had actually not appreciated their culture, firstly. I feel that was big in charming me to the gamers. Dutch individuals, we are relatively liberal. We like to find out other cultures. Whatever formed from there, personally and expertly.”
Rongen highlights 2 choices that would show crucial.
One was instinctive however impactful. On the very first day of training, he had actually observed that the centre-back whose passport checked out Johnny was being regularly described as Jaiyah by her team-mates. This was guys’s football however she appeared to determine as a female.
” I stated: ‘Your passport states Johnny however I can hear the group calling you Jaiyah. What do you desire me to call you?’ She stated: ‘Coach, if you might call me Jaiyah.’ Without even believing, I stated: ‘Definitely. You are Jaiyah.’ She informed me I was the very first coach to accept her.
” However it was the action of the group. Due to the fact that the third-gender neighborhood is mostly accepted throughout Polynesia, they all hugged us both. That started the ball rolling. This was a guy who accepts who we are. It endeared me to the gamers. We ended up being extremely unified.”
Rongen, Jaiyah Saelua and Nicky Salapu envisioned together in 2014
The other substantial choice was that on that very same day Rongen had the ability to reveal that he had actually encouraged goalkeeper Salapu to make his go back to the group. The coach had actually checked out short articles about what the gamer had actually been required to handle in the consequences.
” He declared that he would beat Australia 32-0 on FIFA every night. He likewise narrated about strolling down the street and individuals asking him if he was the goalkeeper in the 31-0 video game. He stated his boy believed he was a loser.” It might not be completion of his story.
” I saw that video game. I am informing you if it were not for him it might have been 50. I practically guaranteed him we would win. I believe my conviction convinced him. I informed him his boy would believe he was a hero. It became this amazing thing. Let’s do it for Nicky.”
For Rongen, the 2 choices were totally rational however they were likewise crucial. “There is no doubt in my mind,” he states. “Those 2 scenarios happened spontaneously however they permitted us to be a joined front from practically the day I came off the airplane.”
If those choices quickly changed the state of mind amongst the group, American Samoa changed him practically as rapidly. He explains himself as an atheist however after joining his group in church experienced what he calls a “wild spiritual trip” on the island.
” By the 3rd day, my heart rate boiled down and I experienced particular things that resulted in me weeping. My individual recovery began. I started to take a look at things in a various method. Go with the circulation. More than happy. It is not win at all expenses. They taught me psychological intelligence.”
Rongen had his own devils to challenge throughout his time in American Samoa
Together, they made history. Tonga were beaten 2-1. Just a one-goal defeat to Samoa ended their World Cup experience. “I searched in their eyes and for the very first time I felt they thought they might win. That was the greatest success.” Bottom of the rankings, no more.
Salapu, the as soon as beleaguered goalkeeper, had his redemption minute. Quickly after the historical success versus Tonga, the young boy who had actually as soon as seen him as a loser, now informed his daddy that he was his hero. “He sobbed. I sobbed. That was a satisfying minute.”
Hollywood covers that part of the story – however with a twist. “The film is a lot various,” states Rongen. He bewares not to criticise excessive and has actually played an active part in promoting the image however Fassbender’s representation is rather less understanding than the truth.
” When I initially saw the film alone in a huge theatre in Miami where I live, I left with my head shaking, puzzled,” acknowledges Rongen. “It tossed me off in the very first scene and I might not capture up. They link the death of my child. It was simply insane.”
In Toronto, he had words with the director. “I faced Taika after a couple of beverages. I informed him, ‘You’re eliminating me’. He informed me, ‘I required a bad guy and you were simply the apparent one’. The majority of people are going to leave of the theatre and believe, ‘This guy Rongen is a d ***’.
Rongen, Jaiyah Saelua and Taika Waititi promote Next Objective Wins in Toronto
The fact is that the bond in between that American Samoa group and their coach is as strong as it gets. Rongen highlights that in his own unique method. “I bet 10 groups in the old NASL,” he mentions, consisting of the Los Angeles Aztecs together with Johan Cruyff.
” I was a youth coach for 5 years. A college coach. I coached 4 groups in MLS. I went to 3 U20 World Cups. I was head coach of the Olympic group. I am using my MLS champion ring that I won with DC United in 1999. I touched countless gamers.
” However I remain in touch more with the gamers from American Samoa than with any other group. That informs you a lot. There is a connection.”
There might even be a not likely follow up.
Now 67, Rongen makes his living as an expert covering Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami. However there has actually been a deal to return and coach American Samoa in their certifying project for the 2026 World Cup. “They have actually asked me and I am contemplating it,” he confesses.
” I informed Jaiyah and Nicky and they wish to play once again. Let’s bring the band back together,” he chuckles. However seconds later on, he is being seduced by a script even Hollywood would baulk at. “There has actually been a significant enhancement. If we might survive the very first stage …”
He includes: “Possibly you get 2nd location and make the playoff to get to the United States. That is improbable however we will see. The simple reality that I am pondering it at almost 68 informs you that this location revived a love for the video game that was definitely dead.”
That is for the next movie. In the meantime, the story of Thomas Rongen’s very first stint in charge of American Samoa is unique enough. “I hope that individuals take more from the film than the experience of simply seeing a sports movie.” How could they not?