Six seasons of class TV and some of the greatest links to the beautiful game
Although the Sopranos takes place in New Jersey – thousands of miles away from the bright lights of European football – soccer is a recurring influence on the show. Some of the references to the sport point to the growing football popularity in America at the turn of the millennium, while other instances are a link back to the old country, and the Italian roots of the extended family.
The first reference to the beautiful game comes in the first series. In the ninth episode – named Boca, although it’s got nothing to do with the Argentinian club – Meadow Soprano is shown playing in goal for the local girl’s team, alongside Silvio Dante and Artie Bucco’s daughters. The three fathers end up celebrating at the Bada Bing! with Meadow’s coach, convincing him to keep working with the team. While that coaching career ends in disgrace, it isn’t the last time that football appears in the Sopranos.
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