“Necaxa” from FX and Disney+ Latin America is a new bilingual docuseries. It follows Eva Longoria as she sets out to reignite the soul of one of Mexico’s oldest and most storied football clubs, “Club Necaxa”. The series premieres on August 7 on FXX and then streaming the next day on Hulu.
ABOUT “NECAXA”
The series shows how this Mexican team located in Aguascalientes, Mexico goes through a turbulent and transformational time as they look to defy expectations and deliver hope to their fans by at least making playoffs in their league. Throughout the docuseries, we see various staff shake-ups, injuries, and other bumps in the road that make reaching their goals that much more difficult.
Through the first five episodes I got to see, we hear from players, coaches, staff, and fans of Club Necaxa that are woven into a narrative of always hoping that next step to success is not so far away. Along for the ride as well, we get commentary from Welcome To Wrexham’s own Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds.
WHAT WORKS IN THE DOCUSERIES
What I enjoyed most about “Necaxa” is the care they seem to take in telling individual stories. Whether its players or fans in Aguascalientes. Although it does get a little awkward getting to know the first head coach only to see him replaced. As you get to know all the “players” involved including their PR guy, it gets easier and easier to root for the team.
Something else I found really fun was the lessons in Mexican soccer and slang. They take some time in educating audiences with several references that I understand as a Mexican, but many others including other Latinos from other countries, don’t.
ALSO SEE: ‘NECAXA’ TRAILER: EVA LONGORIA TELLS THE STORY OF ONE OF MEXICO’S OLDEST SOCCER CLUBS
WHAT DOESN’T WORK IN “NECAXA”
Unfortunately for “Necaxa”, it has a lot more things that are working against it. First and foremost, I found myself a little confused when it comes to the docuseries’ target audience. The series is in Spanish but it’s references sometimes playfully explained by Mac seem to insinuate this is for Americans. Ones that have never watched Mexican soccer. But its in Spanish, also giving the notion that this is for soccer fans to get to know the club better. Which is it?
If it’s trying to expand the team’s popularity, it does a poor job at showcasing what makes the club special. The docuseries explains how Necaxa used to play in the famed Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, but was basically forced to move as they were not even the second most popular team in the City. Their move to Aguascalientes came in 2003. By this time, many people in the area had already picked different soccer teams to root for.
The first five episodes also don’t deliver much hope for the team. Time and time again we are watch them lose game after game. To the point where the coach needs to be replaced. The high point in the five episodes come as they win a home game in the second game of their league, which by this point doesn’t feel like much. It’s not great that at some points in the docuseries, I just feel sorry for the team.
One other confusing aspect of “Necaxa” is Longoria’s position with the team. Yes she is nicknamed “La Patrona”, but throughout the docuseries, seems more like just a host. Too often do we see her talking to players or management through zoom calls rather than in person. There are times where we are also watching her watch the games through her laptop rather than in person or at least a room with a television. In some critical moments when decisions are being made, it seems that the real people running the team take charge. I think she does a great job in the docuseries, but overall comes off as an ambassador for the team.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
“Necaxa” feels like a desperate spin-off from “Welcome To Wrexham”, looking to capitalize on it’s success. Despite showcasing good characters, it does a poor job at showing why this team should have any hope, and why audiences should stick around.
OVERALL GRADE: D
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