As Episode 1 of "Onside: Major League Soccer" (2025 release; 8 episodes ranging from 34 to 46 min) opens, it is the beginning of MLS' 2024 season, and the episode focuses on ne particular game that opening weekend: LA Galaxy vs. Inter Miami. The film makers were seemingly granted unfettered access and we get some behind the scenes glimpses. At this point we are 10 minutes into Episode 1.
Couple of comments: this documentary series is executive-produced by the same team that has brought us "Formula 1: Drive to Survive" and "Breakpoint" (professional tennis). So my expectations were quite high. All 8 episodes can be viewed independently from each other, which is a weak point as there really is no common thread in any of the episodes. Instead each episode focuses on one particular story line. Episode 2 "Hell Is Real" focuses exclusively on the bitter intrastate rivalry between Columbus (one of the founding clubs of MLS) and Cincinnati (which joined MLS in 2019). Full disclosure: I am from Cincinnati and a season ticket holder of FC Cincinnati. After seeing this episode, I had 2 thoughts: (1) the film makers did not show anything about "Hell Is Rea" that I didn't know already, and (2) does anyone outside of Ohio even care about "Hell IS Real"? I kinda doubt it. That is of course a bigger problem for MLS: Even though I absolutely love soccer (I hail originally from Belgium), I never cared about MLS until FCC joined MLS. Bottom line: I frankly expected more of this documentary series. And if this is intended for the "casual" MLS fan, well, I've never met a "casual" MLS fan. If your city has an MLS team, you are likely way into it. But outside of those 30 cities? Nah.
"Onside: Major League Soccer" started streaming on Apple TV this weekend, to coincide with the start of the 2025 season of MLS (its 30th season). If you love soccer, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.
