Once in a Lifetime

Traditionally, Americans like team sports with lots of breaks and a win-lose result and, most importantly, at which they can claim to be 'world champions' (they're still sore that the Toronto Blue Jays won baseball's World Series in 1992).

So, despite embarrassing England at the 1950 World Cup, the USA never took to the beautiful game. Uncle Sam's only interested in the version of football where foot rarely meets ball.

Owned by media mogul Steve Ross, the New York Cosmos was just another struggling 'soccer' outfit whose greatest media exposure had been a centre-spread in which goalkeeper Shep Messing left his front post uncovered.

That all changed in 1974 when none other than Henry Kissinger (and a mountain of cash) persuaded Pele to join the team.

A passionate visionary, Ross was more than a strictly-business investor in the Abramovich mould. His Cosmos would be as much a part of American sport as the Dallas Cowboys.

But having Pele was like signing up Al Pacino for the local gang show. Other big names were soon acquired: Franz Beckenbauer; Brazilian ace Carlos Alberto; Italian egomaniac Georgio Chinaglia (a legend in his own kitbag).

As a citywide riot and the serial killer 'Son of Sam' caused chaos in the summer of 1977, record-breaking crowds swarmed to see these international playboys in action - both on and off the field.

It didn't last. Without a national TV deal, the Cosmos faded away like any other craze and even Ross was forced to call it a draw.

Narrated by Matt Dillon, this is a rise-and-fall tale worthy of any tabloid. Many of the players, journalists and backroom boys provide juicy commentary and some enjoyably conflicting one-twos. It's a shame that Pele declined to take part.

The over-use of stills occasionally makes the film feel like a slideshow and some of the music has a distinctly pornographic vibe, but these are minor infringements in the technical area.

The film ends by pointing out that America is currently one of the fastest-growing forces in world soccer. So in that respect, Steve Ross achieved his goal.

Elliott Noble