New PBS SoCal Series SOCAL SOCCER: THE ORIGIN STORY Spotlights Southern California’s History and Passion for the Game With Weekly Rollout on YouTube Starting May 31
Press Contact
Chelsea Grosbeck
cgrosbeck@pbssocal.org
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Select programming will also be available to stream on the free PBS App, PBS SoCal’s YouTube channel and pbssocal.org. Members of PBS SoCal get extended access with PBS Passport.
Los Angeles, Calif. – June 1, 2026 – PBS SoCal, Southern California’s flagship PBS organization, announced today the premiere of SOCAL SOCCER: THE ORIGIN STORY, a new four-part documentary series explores how Los Angeles became one of the world’s greatest soccer cities. Hosted by journalist Ivan Fernandez, SOCAL SOCCER: THE ORIGIN STORY chronicles the rich and largely untold history of soccer in Southern California and the Greater Los Angeles Soccer League. From early immigrant teams playing in city parks to U.S. Open Cup champions and the global impact of the 1994 World Cup, the series explores how Southern California’s cultural roots and passion shaped today’s thriving soccer scene. All four 10–15 minute episodic specials will roll out weekly beginning Sun., May 31 on YouTube, pbssocal.org and the free PBS App. A 60-minute broadcast documentary special will premiere on Mon., June 8 at 7 p.m. on PBS SoCal and streams on pbssocal.org and the PBS App, with a YouTube premiere on Sun., June 28.
The series features interviews with local fans, historians and soccer legends who defined the sport in the region on and off the field. Actor and German-born soccer player, Eric Braeden (“The Young and the Restless”), competed alongside Holocaust survivors on the Maccabee Los Angeles Soccer Club to win the 1973 U.S. Open Cup where the team become one of the greatest amateur leagues in American soccer history. The series also highlights Hugo Salcedo, who immigrated from Mexico to Los Angeles joined local immigrant leagues and went on to represent the United States at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Another member of the Maccabees, Benny Binshtock, helped win four of the club’s record five U.S. Open Cup titles while, by day, working as a designer at Mattel. At the collegiate level, Norwegian born and Hall of Fame player at UCLA Ole Mikkelsen, made history as the most prolific scorer in UCLA men's soccer history. In addition to community and youth voices, other interviews include Cobi Jones, Brandi Chastain, Paul Caligiuri, Kevin Baxter, Far Farshad, George Kioussis, Andy Fuzesi, Trudi Sharpsteen, MaryAnne Miller-Nimick, among others.
SOCAL SOCCER: THE ORIGIN STORY episodes are as follows (subject to change):
“The LA Soccer League Built by Immigrants” – Sun., May 31
Before the World Cup, LA soccer lived in parks and immigrant communities. This episode explores the rise of the Greater LA Soccer League, where teams built by immigrants became cultural lifelines. Featuring voices like Eric Braeden, it’s the story of how identity, community, and competition helped shape soccer in America from the ground up.
“How a Global Game Took Root in Southern California – Sun., June 7
Soccer in the U.S. was built by those who brought it with them. Follow players like Hugo Salcedo as immigrant communities turned rivalry into opportunity, identity, and belonging. From East L.A. leagues to Olympic dreams, this episode shows how the global game took root in Southern California and helped define American soccer.
“SoCal Soccer: The Origin Story” Full Documentary – Sun., June 8 at 7 p.m. on PBS SoCal
Host Ivan Fernandez explores the origins of soccer in Southern California and the Greater Los Angeles Soccer League. From early immigrant teams to U.S. Open Cup champions, from the 1994 World Cup to today’s booming soccer scene, this is the story of how L.A. became a global soccer city.
“How a Semi-Pro League put LA Soccer on the Map” – Sun., June 14
What began as an amateur league became a national force. The Greater LA Soccer League produced champions, dominated the U.S. Open Cup, and faced global giants like Real Madrid. Through players like Benny Binstock, this episode reveals how a “small” league helped put Los Angeles, and U.S. soccer, on the map.
“Fans, Culture & the Future of SoCal Fútbol” – Sun., June 21
From overlooked games to sold-out stadiums, L.A.’s soccer culture has transformed. This episode connects the Greater LA Soccer League to today’s diverse, passionate fanbase. With stories from players and supporters, we explore how the sport became part of the city’s identity and what the future holds.
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About PBS SoCal
PBS SoCal uses the power of public media for good, strengthening the civic fabric of Southern California and providing our community with an essential connection to a wider world. As a local, donor/member-supported non-profit organization, PBS SoCal is available to stream on the PBS app and the PBS Kids App and reaches nearly 22M viewers across 7 Broadcast channels — including 2 primary channels, PBS SoCal and PBS SoCal Plus and 5 digital subchannels. With a commitment to make content available anytime and anywhere for free, PBS SoCal offers programming that reflects the diversity of Southern California and showcases the full schedule of beloved and trusted PBS content spanning Education, News, Environment and Arts & Culture. PBS SoCal also sparks the sharing of ideas at in-person cultural events and community conversations as well as prepares children for kindergarten and beyond by bringing bilingual, hands-on learning experiences to the community for free.