One Goal A Coach, a Team, and the Game That Brought a Divided Town Together

In the tradition of Friday Night Lights and Outcasts United, this powerful true story captures how a high school soccer team brought hope to a Maine town grappling with change and division.

When thousands of Somali refugees resettled in Lewiston, Maine—a struggling, predominantly white mill town—longtime residents bristled with uncertainty. Tensions boiled over when the mayor wrote a controversial letter asking Somalis to stop coming, thrusting the community into the national spotlight. But while headlines threatened to define Lewiston by its divisions, something remarkable was happening on the soccer field.

The high school’s coach saw potential where others saw problems. He integrated Somali players onto his team, and their shared passion for the beautiful game began bridging seemingly impossible divides. Through grueling practices, hard-fought matches, and a quest for state glory, these young athletes—from vastly different backgrounds—forged bonds that would reshape their community’s story.

Amy Bass takes readers onto the pitch and into the heart of this divided town, revealing how sports can become a powerful force for understanding and unity. One Goal is more than a sports story—it’s a timely, deeply human account of overcoming prejudice, finding common ground, and discovering that our differences can make us stronger together.

Perfect for readers who believe in the transformative power of teamwork, this inspiring narrative reminds us that sometimes the most important victories happen off the field. A must-read for anyone seeking hope in divisive times.

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