Santiago Muñez, a Mexican illegal immigrant living in a barrio section of Los Angeles, is a skilled footballer who plays for his local team on weekends and dreams of playing professionally. The son of a gardener, Santiago lives with his father, Hernan, his grandmother, Mercedes, and his younger brother, Cesar. He works as a busboy in a Chinese restaurant while also helping with his father’s gardening business for a living. Due to his poverty and the fact that he plays solely for a club made up of Hispanics from a local car wash, he feels his chances of making it as a pro are slim, until one day, Santiago is noticed by Glen Foy, a former Newcastle United player. Glen now works as a mechanic in England, but still maintains ties to his old team. Foy arranges to get Santiago a trial with Newcastle United, who have recently signed talented new player Gavin Harris. Goal! The Dream Begins 2005
Needing to get to England, Santiago begins to save his money in an old shoe, but his plans are brought to a stop after his father finds the money and uses it to buy a truck which would allow Santiago and him to start their own business, believing that Santiago’s dreams of playing in England are hopeless. With his dream seemingly over, Santiago returns to work for his father, until his grandmother gives him an envelope containing money and a plane ticket to London, telling him she sold her jewellery to pay for the ticket. Santiago reluctantly accepts and soon departs for England before his father is able to find out, arriving in London the next day.
After arriving in London, Santiago tells Glen that he is in England, who warmly welcomes Santiago to his home in Newcastle and takes him to the tryout. Santiago is not welcomed by the other players, particularly reserve player Hughie McGowan, who spends the whole trial roughly tackling him, leading to an unimpressive performance by Santiago.