Documentary "Summer of 94" celebrates U.S. soccer success

A new documentary about the U.S. men’s national soccer team's remarkable journey in the 1994 World Cup is in the works. The film, titled “Summer of 94,” will be directed by Dave LaMattina and Chad Walker from Copper Pot Pictures. The aim is to release the documentary before the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In 1994, the U.S. team was seen as the underdog. Against expectations, they advanced to the round of 16 in the tournament. This World Cup was significant, becoming the most successful event in FIFA’s history, with over 3.6 million fans attending. The success of the U.S. team changed how soccer was perceived and played in America. LaMattina and Walker noted that the players faced many challenges, like changing in a bathroom at a fast-food restaurant instead of having a real locker room. They viewed the players as pioneers for American soccer and hope the documentary will inspire future generations. The documentary will showcase never-before-seen footage from the team’s training and exclusive interviews with the players and coaching staff. Marc Gilbar, president of Imagine Brands and Partnerships, expressed excitement about sharing this powerful story. “Summer of 94” will be produced alongside Delirio Films, marking a collaboration between the two companies. This film is part of a series of nonfiction projects they have worked on together. The documentary is also supported by Stand Together, a philanthropic group focused on addressing key issues in the U.S.