LFG

Megan Rapinoe always made a compelling public spokesperson for her team's legal case for equal pay, and she once again takes a starring role in this documentary about the case. LFG bets heavily on her star power and an interest in some of the key members of the team by organizing the bulk of the reel around talking head interviews. One effect is that the film could make this case feel ultimately more about the current celebrity team members than the larger historical significance it actually has, even though they themselves insist a win is about future generations of female athletes. The documentary is structured by days over the course of more than a year, from spring 2019 to spring 2020, effectively illustrating how the US Soccer Federation bungled the case and drew it out unnecessarily -- and the toll it took, seen in real time, on the players. Even if you know the outcome, getting there makes for a painful watch. The film will undoubtedly strike a chord with many viewers.

One memorable segment comes when McDonald describes how at one point she was earning less than $15,000 as a professional soccer player and couldn't support her son without taking on additional part-time jobs. Curiously, of all the women interviewed, the directors only delve more deeply into Rapinoe's and McDonald's backgrounds and family lives. The team's lawyers make clear and credible arguments for the women's case of discrimination. Some points are highlighted by statistics, though these are run through rather quickly. There are plenty of insightful moments and some exciting clips of archive footage, especially from past matches and celebrations. Three montages stand out: one in which celebrities, politicians, and other athletes give their support for the women's case; a second highlighting trailblazing female athletes in other sports; and a series of clips over the end credits showing young girls displaying their mad soccer skills (and some Rapinoe-style hairdos).