By Liam Geraghty
Lisa Wrightsman
Lisa Wrightsman’s life story could be quite the motion picture in its own right so it’s fitting that she features in The Beautiful Game. The American fell into homelessness after her dreams of being a professional footballer didn’t pan out and addictions tore her life apart.
But the Homeless World Cup offered her a way back in life and she played for the Street Soccer USA team in the event in Brazil in 2010 – an experience she told The Big Issue was “mind-blowing”. She went on to coach the USA team at subsequent tournaments and set up women’s coach programmes in her native Sacramento.
But the crowning redemptive moment came last year when Wrightsman welcomed teams all over the world for the Homeless World Cup in her home city – the first time the tournament had been held in the States in its 20-year history.
“When Mel Young from the Homeless World Cup called to ask if some of us from Street Soccer USA wanted to be part of filming for The Beautiful Gameto play the role of the USA Women’s team – we said yes immediately,” Wrightsman told The Big Issue. “When it comes to the Homeless World Cup or Street Soccer USA (SSUSA) it’s usually a yes to anything and we were delighted to be invited out to Rome, Italy.
“We didn’t know what to expect, what our role would be, how big a part we would have but we were shocked to learn on arrival that we would be part of the story and have a role to play, it was incredible. The first time we got fitted for costumes, meeting director Thea Sharrock, the cast and the crew – it was so overwhelming and exciting.
“To understand the effort that went into the film, to see the boldness and audacity to shoot following the Covid-19 pandemic, it just seemed aligned with how bold and how brave the Homeless World Cup event is.
“It was like a Homeless World Cup fantasy family reunion in a special place halfway across the world for us. Spending five weeks with people that you feel so deeply connected to and then spending the time on the set, in costumes, recounting all our individual Homeless World Cup memories and experiences – it was a moment in time that I was proud to be a part of. Every day we would say to each other – how did this happen? Are we really doing this and in Rome, with actors on a real movie about the Homeless World Cup?
“It felt like being a part of another Homeless World Cup. I hope the world gets to watch this magical event unfold on the big screen and join the H
