MAPLE VALLEY, Wash. — Sports has always been about more than a final score. Nobody knows that better than the man refereeing a Sunday afternoon game in Maple Valley.
"I just want people to learn how to respect other cultures and how to respect the game," said Nicky Salapu.
Twenty years ago Salapu was the America Samoan goaltender who experienced embarrassment on a global scale when his team lost to Australia 31 to Zero.
"I did blackout three times," Salapu said. "I got hit by the ball in the face. Once I got hit on the back of my head and then I got kicked in the head again. Looking back it was a disaster. Looking back it was a very sad day for us."
Salapu thought about quitting. But instead, as the documentary "Next Goal Wins" shows, he became captain of the team, a warrior, determined to use the most humiliating day of his life as motivation.
"We need to put this whole 31-Zero behind us and then we're just going to move forward," Salapu said. "We just want to score one goal. One goal to make a difference and to tell the world that we love football."
Now "Next Goal Wins," directed by Taika Waititi, is the name of a major motion picture, with a star studded cast. This story of Nicky's team will serve as inspiration for generations to come. The movie passes on some of the same life lessons Salapu has taught his son Dylan, a center back for Tumwater High School.
"Especially in our culture it's a lot about respect," Dylan Salapu said. "You always learn from the game that you lost and you bring it back to the next game."
Life is full of challenges and you can't win them all.
But a game can teach its players composure, resiliency and mutual respect.
"It's all about passion," Salapu said. "It's all about love."
The final score is only some numbers
"Because most of all, you got to show a lot of respect," Salapu said.
Nicky Salapu and his son Dylan will both play for the America Samoan team in next year's World Cup qualifier. The movie"Next Goal Wins" is still in theaters.
KING 5's Evening celebrates the Northwest. Contact us: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Email.
RELATED: Oly's Malasadas offers tasty treats worth waiting in line for. But get there before they sell out