For someone who loves soccer, Paul Martin got to immerse himself in a world that ignites his passion. The Emmy Award winner’s latest project, Apple TV+’s Onside: Major League Soccer, is a true labor of love, debuting on Feb. 21. This eight-part docuseries, produced for Apple by Box to Box Films in collaboration with Major League Soccer, delves into the 2024 MLS season with exclusive access to players, coaches, and clubs. Martin, an executive producer known for Formula 1: Drive to Survive, expresses excitement about this unique storytelling opportunity.
“From a producing side, I think it was about wanting to tell compelling stories within the soccer realm. The structure of MLS, combined with the unique partnership between Apple and MLS, provided us incredible access that would be hard to achieve with European leagues like the Premier League or La Liga,” he shared. “So, it was a project that I simply couldn’t resist.”
Accessing the inner workings of a sports league can be difficult, often leading to a mere illusion of access, much like what HBO’s Hard Knocks has excelled in. “Everyone wants to be depicted in the best possible light,” Martin noted, referencing a notable instance with the New York Giants. However, Onside: Major League Soccer captures real moments, as it unfolds after the season. “You’ll see clubs discussing the firing of managers, as evidenced in the Atlanta episode. We were on both sides while teams attempted to sign players—insights you wouldn’t typically see,” he explained. “Having access to a promising 14-year-old like Cavan Sullivan of the Philadelphia Union is rare; if he were with a Premier League club, we wouldn’t have been allowed near him.”
Sullivan, who is now 15, is deemed a prodigy and represents the future of the MLS. With the potential to elevate American soccer, an episode is dedicated to him. In July 2024, when Philadelphia faced the New England Revolution, Sullivan etched his name into history as the youngest player in league history to make his MLS debut, also believed to be the youngest in North America’s top professional sports leagues. Martin’s cameras were present for that significant moment.
“If he becomes the player everyone anticipates, it will be an unforgettable episode that viewers will look back on,” Martin said about the Philadelphia native. “We were incredibly fortunate to capture that moment; it stands as a highlight of the series.”
Drifting the spotlight towards Lionel Messi, who revitalized the MLS with his July 2023 signing with Inter Miami CF, Martin emphasizes that Onside: Major League Soccer explores a variety of players and storylines. When asked if there’s anything he wished he had captured, he paused thoughtfully, stating, “You always crave more access and insight. The challenge lies in the limitations of time and choices; you can’t be everywhere at once. However, I am quite pleased with the outcome of the eight episodes.”
Onside: Major League Soccer premieres on Feb. 21 on Apple TV+.
