One man could lead this team to glory… That man was busy.|May. 13, 2005|United States|95 Min.|PG
Genre: Comedy;Family
Description: Phil Weston, an ordinary man, has lived with the emotional scars of his father Buck Weston’s extreme competitiveness. Now in his middle age, Phil runs a small vitamin store and is married with a young son named Sam. Buck, who owns a chain of sporting goods stores, coaches the Gladiators, a dominant little-league soccer team. Despite Sam being on the team, Buck benched him, just as he had done to Phil years ago, sparking resentment. Eventually, Buck transfers Sam to the Tigers, the league’s weakest team.
During Sam’s first game with the Tigers, their coach is absent. To avoid forfeiting, Phil steps in as the temporary coach and later takes on the role permanently. However, despite his efforts, the team struggles to improve. In desperation, Phil enlists Mike Ditka, Buck’s rival neighbor, as an assistant coach. Ditka agrees, motivated by the chance to defeat Buck.
The team’s performance remains poor despite intense training sessions. Ditka introduces Phil to two talented Italian twins, Gian Piero and Massimo, who work at a local butcher shop. With their uncle’s permission, the twins join the Tigers and quickly turn the team’s fortunes around, leading to a winning streak that makes them serious contenders.
Phil and Buck make a high-stakes bet: if the Gladiators win the championship, Phil will sell his store and work for Buck. If the Tigers win, Buck will give Phil “The Pelé Ball,” a treasured soccer ball signed by the legendary player, which Phil had caught as a child but Buck had taken from him.
As the competition intensifies, Phil starts drinking coffee, which transforms him from a caring father into an overly competitive and abrasive coach, resembling the behavior he once despised in his father. The tension between Phil and Buck escalates, culminating in a dramatic showdown as the Tigers and Gladiators face off for the championship.
Cast director: Jesse Dylan
Cast actor: Will Ferrell, Robert Duvall, Kate Walsh, Musetta Vander, Josh Hutcherson, Steven Anthony Lawrence, Mike Ditka, Dylan McLaughlin, Jeremy Bergman, Elliott Cho
Original name: Kicking & Screaming