Unmatched Update
Interviewing 2005 team captain Colleen Little.
We want to take a moment to say thank you to all of you supporters who have championed Unmatched: The Team That Changed the Beautiful Game.
We have made meaningful progress on the film, and every step forward was made possible by you. Below, you’ll find an update on the film and the progress we’ve made. We’re excited about what’s ahead and can’t wait to share more with you in the coming year!
Independent documentary filmmaking is only possible because of people like you who believe in the power of stories. And what better story is there than the 2005 Pilots?!? Greatness on the field, changemakers off the field, and a city that supports women’s soccer unlike anywhere else in the world. This team truly did change the beautiful game that we all love, and it’s been the honor of a lifetime to help tell its story.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us and helping turn this dream into a growing reality.
Best wishes to you and your families in the New Year!
With gratitude,
The Unmatched Team
Our team have filmed several UP soccer games over the past year - the Pilot student section is still among the best in the country!
Unmatched Update
Grant Support Achieved: We’re so grateful to have secured three major endorsements recently, receiving a $15,000 Impact Grant from Oregon Film, a $10,000 Amplify Portland Grant from the Portland Events & Film Office, and a $5,000 Portland Arts Project Grant from the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) and the Office of Arts & Culture.
We’re honored to have such strong belief in our film from our city and state leaders! These grants have provided crucial funding that has allowed us to continue production on the film.
Filming Progress: We’ve interviewed 30 incredible people so far – from fourteen 2005 team members to journalists, academics, Portland sports icons, and more. We filmed the Portland Thorns game when the great Christine Sinclair had her number retired, and hope to finish production this spring… we still have a few more interviews to film, but we’re getting close to being done!
Here’s a peek at what we’ve got in store for you:
Kickstarter: We were absolutely blown away by the community’s support of our Kickstarter this spring. We’re so grateful for your amazing generosity and belief in this film. Keep an eye out for any outstanding rewards in the coming weeks!
Seeking Executive Producers: Our next critical step will be fundraising for post-production. We’ve got amazing interviews, hundreds of hours of archival footage, and a story that spans both decades and the globe. A strong editing team is vital. So, we’re actively looking for Executive Producers to contribute funds, make introductions, and help us fully fund this film. If you know anyone who might be interested in investing in our film and joining our team, please let us know!
The Big Question – When Will It Be Done? As with all things in independent filmmaking, it all comes down to the money. The sooner we raise the funds, the sooner we can finish. We are committed to finishing it as quickly as possible given our resources, and we would love to finish it by the end of 2026.
The Other Big Question – Where Can You Watch It? As we shift from filming to post-production, we are exploring distribution opportunities. We promise you several local screenings, and hope to be included in festivals and on streaming services, too.
Finally, just a reminder that you can make a tax-deductible donation to Unmatched through our fiscal sponsor, University of Portland. These gifts go directly to our film, with a percentage also going to support the UP women’s soccer team. A win-win!
This film is going to be great, and because of you we’re closer than ever to the finish line. Thank you, thank you, thank you!