The success of all-access soccer documentaries like Netflix’s Sunderland Til I Die, and Amazon Prime’s All or Nothing series alongside the popularity of TV shows like Ted Lasso means that the market has never been better to produce shows like this. With the USL Championship preparing to enter the 2024 season in just a few short weeks, I take a look at the clubs or stories that USL Championship fans would love to see told from the source.

Las Vegas Lights - 30 Days of Light

For anyone who has read my preceding pieces on Protagonist as well as listened to my contributions on The USL Show, the first will come as no surprise. Following their sale to Jose Bautista, the former MLB pro, the Las Vegas Lights announced manager Dennis Sanchez with just 30 days to go before the season began. They announced Sporting Director Gianleonardo Neglia a few days later. They had 0 rostered players. This would be the story of how they went from no team to a full roster on opening day away in Louisville.

This show would be unique in that it would be primarily focused on the front office aspects of our sport but it would give a novel insight into just how transfer business is done in USL in contrast to how business has been depicted abroad. The moment that they secured Charlie Adams from Tulsa, the Charlie Day-esque corkboard I have to imagine Sanchez and Neglia review every day, the drama when they finally close the 22nd deal of the month and get them on the plane to Louisville all would combine to make for premier television. Add in scenes of the players coming in and having to gel with no veterans or experienced players to show them the ropes and Sanchez having to manage that dynamic completely blind and it is pure gold.

Of course they would have the option of extending the show into the season if it gained popularity but telling the story of how they built a squad in less than 30 days would be absolutely fascinating. Add in known personalities like Joe Gyau who has just inked a deal and I truly think this could be a cult hit.

FC Tulsa - Back to the Drawing Board

Similarly to Vegas, and at the risk of having a moment like one from the movie Popstar in which 3 reality show camera crews converge to mass confusion, FC Tulsa’s offseason has been one that deserves a documentary all its own.

They were feeling quite strong heading into 2024, with Blair Gavin and his coaching staff leading a squad that looked to be strengthening. January 8th, 2024, Gavin was announced to be joining New England Revolution to be Caleb Porter’s assistant. His departure set off a chain reaction. His entire staff followed suit, with Richie Ryan going to FC Cincinnati to be their U19’s manager. They hired Mario Sanchez to be the Head Coach and Technical Director, with Luke Spencer joining from Louisville City’s Academy to be his assistant. This did not stem the flow of personnel out of the club though.

As we mentioned, Charlie Adams is now in Vegas, having never played a match for Tulsa. Jeremy Kelly made a detour to Crawley Town, terminating his Tulsa contract before it ever began. Ruxi, having been a stalwart at left back for Tulsa last year, made his way to Mineros de Zacatecas in Mexico’s second division. They also paid a fee to Spokane Velocity, a League 1 expansion side who has yet to play a match, for Alexis Souahy. The amount of turmoil around this team following the departure of Sam Doerr is really unmatched, which is saying something in this League.

Give me all of those meetings, where Doerr announced the plans for 2024, then Gavin drops a bomb, followed by the 3 players. Again, the drama and the revelation of the inner workings of the organization would be dynamite.

Rhode Island - Anchors Away

This one is a bit obvious as well but the way that Rhode Island FC has done their business you would love to see how they put it together and whether Khano Smith can turn it into a cohesive and effective unit.

You have to think the attacking combination of JJ Williams, Prince Saydee and Albert Dikwa would be worth the price of admission alone but this show could go so much further into the operations of a first year club. The ins and outs of becoming an entity that is taken seriously in the League and how you carry such high expectations through your first year of operations.

Throw in the fact that Smith is in his first year as the head coach at a club and you really have the ingredients for a thrilling ride of a documentary. They inevitably will face adversity at times this year but will they ride the wave or will the anchor of that expectation drag the squad down with it?

Jordan Farr - Farr Too Much

Jordan Farr’s journey from one of the top keepers in the League and a USL Championship title winner with San Antonio to being frozen out and going to Tampa Bay is one of the most intriguing sagas in USL. Farr’s journey was chronicled recently by Nicholas Murray for the USL Championship’s main site but getting a view behind the curtain would have been scintillating.

He tied the League’s record for clean sheets in 2022 as San Antonio marched to a first-ever title. Despite facing far more shots in 2023, he was saddled with the overall drop in defensive quality by head coach Alen Marcina. They brought in Nick Marsman, who continued to start over Farr even into the playoffs. He had notified the club that he wanted to remain but was available for all intents and purposes and Tampa Bay made their move.

So much happens in the locker rooms and team meetings of USL clubs that we are not privy to. The moment when Marcina notified Farr that he would bring in a competitor given the context would be heavy. The relationships that exist beyond what we see on the pitch, the truly human side of the game, would be fascinating to get a look into. The first match of Farr’s 2024 season being Tampa Bay hosting San Antonio provides the perfect climax to the documentary as well.

30 for 30s

Along these lines, I would also want 30 for 30-style documentary looks into the following:

One Crazy Night - A look into what really happened in the El Paso locker room after the 5-0 loss away to Phoenix. Lucho Solignac and Eder Borelli did not make another appearance after this with Yuma playing only sparingly and I believe there is more to the story.

The Best in the League - An uncensored look at the journey of Panos Armenakas, from starting the season at hapless Loudoun to lifting the trophy with Phoenix.

Call Ups - Short updates throughout the season from National Team duty for those players involved with their Senior or Youth national team setups

Opening Day - Team and supporter produced docs on the matchday experience at every home opener in the League. A chance to spotlight supporter culture and team prep for the overall experience.

These are just some ideas but if I ever get the chance to control programming at any level of a major streamer you better believe these are going to hit those services.

- Phil Baki