With World Refugee Day coming up on June 20, we spoke with Bass about her process for the book, the institutionalization of soccer versus the grassroots game, and how the kids are doing after finishing high school as Lewiston Blue Devils.
The message of community unity rings just as powerful today as people flee to America seeking a better life, but aren’t always embraced with open arms. Immigration was a hot button issue at the time, as the aftermath of the 2015 attacks in Paris raised alarm for terrorism worldwide. The immigrants carried their homegrown passion for the beautiful game with them as the children used it as an escape from tragedy that continued to haunt them even after their journey across the Atlantic Ocean. Figuring out how to unite the community through cultural and religious differences was not an easy process, but at the heart of it all was soccer. Over a 10-year span, Lewiston became home to nearly 7,000 African immigrants - a massive shift that wasn’t necessarily welcomed by all of its residents.
The team’s journey is chronicled by Amy Bass in her book One Goal, which was recently reissued in a paperback edition and was also optioned by Netflix for an upcoming project. This success did not come without adversity and finally came to a head during the 2015 season, when the Blue Devils won their first-ever state championship. Largely made up of African immigrants, the Lewiston Blue Devils have won three out of the last four state championships, uniting a chasmed blue collar community in the process. Its sheer power is highlighted in communities across the globe, including the small town of Lewiston, Maine - where the local high school soccer team has made an impact beyond the chalk lines of the pitch.
Soccer is a worldwide phenomenon for a reason. We sit down with the Emmy-winning writer to discuss the fascinating stories behind the book’s characters and soccer’s natural healing properties. Chronicling the ups and downs of the refugee-led Lewiston High School soccer team’s run to a state championship, Amy Bass’ One Goal has been lauded by critics and sports fanatics alike as a masterful work of storytelling.
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