Every Street United, or ESU, is a show published by Xbox. It revolves around the sport of street soccer which is basically smaller and faster than regular soccer. ESU is a competitive reality show where 8 street soccer players are chosen to come from around the world to represent their country and compete for a once in a lifetime opportunity in the "capital" of soccer, Brazil. The participants are chosen by Edgar Davis and Thierry Henry, 2 highly respected soccer players. The prize is the chance to join the MLS team Seattle Sounders, which is arguable the most popular team in the USA. The hosts, Edgar Davis and Thierry Henry, train and coach the players while in Brazil. Afterwards, Davis and Henry chose their team of 4 that will play in the final match. Whatever team wins there will receive the prize.
From the start, the show knew what was, knew what it was doing, and executed it perfectly. Street soccer fans and professionals will not be disappointed with the effort that was put into the show. The production value was high and it knew how it use its resources. For example, the winning prize was not just money, it was a opportunity for a lifetime career. The Seattle Sounders may not be a popular team around the world, but this may open doors for the players. Players in that team (because of the team's popularity) will soon get the attention from other teams which could lead to even more opportunities. This is really all an amateur soccer player can ask for. Also, the hosts are greatly respected soccer players. Even if you are not a soccer fan, these players might be know to you. The setting of the show is also something that was done right. Brazil has always had a reputation for having one of the best national soccer teams, so for the show to take place there makes the setting perfect. The production team with the help of Xbox used their resources wisely to put everything in their correct place. As a sponsor for the Seattle Sounders, Xbox knew exactly what to do with that connection and used that advantage to make this show what it is.
The participants in the show were hand picked by the Edgar Davis and Thierry Henry. Though, these players were not just picked and thrown in a street soccer match without any regard of who they were. The show allowed a few episodes to let the audience know about their background. It showed the struggles they faced to get to where they are now. You get to know the characters and they truly grow on you. They also have the opportunity to get to know each other which leads to friendships and some drama. Yet, it left you wanting more of these characters. The main, and perhaps only, problem of the show was its short length, which is perhaps the nicest bad thing anybody can say about any source of entertainment. In reality shows, the real drama is what separated them from other shows. Because of the short time the competitors were together, it left the audience wanting more drama between them. The participants were not together from the start. They met in Brazil, yet once they arrived, there was only a few days before the final match. The show felt rushed once it got to that point. With the perfect setting, one would expect it to be used for its all worth. Street soccer matches seemed to be teased. More matches were expected with the "street" vibe in Brazil. Only a few were shown maybe do to the shortage of time.
Every Street United is thoroughly entertaining even if you are not a soccer fanatic. ESU explores the underrated realm of street soccer and delivers it to us in the familiar sense of a reality show. The show knew what it was and did it right which lead to the comfortable execution. The show gave me a great experience with memorable moments and characters, yet it left me wanting more. I highly recommend this show especially for (street) soccer fans.
