Last Train to North America (2026) s01e02 Episode Script
Boston - New York
[poignant instrumental music playing]
[Martin] We leave Canada behind
and we're back in the US.
The first city is Boston.
We're gonna meet with Chelsea again,
and we're gonna discover
a city that knows what it's like
to host a World Cup,
they have done it in 1994,
but with a different angle,
from a different perspective.
Welcome. This is
Last Train to North America.
After a train journey
of about 16 hours from Toronto,
we arrived in the capital
of Massachusetts.
Undoubtedly, one of the most
influential cities in the United States.
The educational
and technological epicenter
of what is known as "New England."
Welcome to Boston.
[music concludes]
[theme music playing]
[Martin] Welcome.
This is Last Train to Russia.
And from here, we continue
with Last Train to Qatar.
This is the stadium that will host
the next World Cup final.
[theme music concludes]
[Martin] This is
Last Train to North America.
[cheerful instrumental music playing]
[Martin] This is not a museum.
It's not a movie set.
It's Boston.
This is like walking into history.
You said it.
This is where
the American Revolution sparked to life.
And now it's mixed with so much history,
but blended into modernness.
'Cause as you're walking these streets,
I mean, you can see the cobblestones,
the walls, the buildings.
You're learning history as you walk.
[Martin] Considered the most
European city in the country,
Boston showcases its streets
as an outdoor museum
where history and tradition
play a predominant role.
[music concludes]
The games matter again!
Scorecard, program, lineup for the game!
Go Red Sox!
[thrilling instrumental music playing]
[Martin] Among its most deeply-rooted
cultural traits,
sports play a fundamental role.
This afternoon,
we're visiting Fenway Park,
the oldest baseball stadium in the MLB.
Despite its constant evolution,
it remains a historical landmark.
Today is not just another day.
It's game day.
The Red Sox are playing,
and they're playing against the Yankees.
Welcome to Fenway Park.
There's such a natural connection
between Boston and Fenway Park, right?
[Chelsea] Yeah, there is.
I mean, baseball is known
as America's pastime.
And we spoke about
how Boston has so much history.
Well, the Red Sox
is one of the most historical teams
in the United States.
And so many people coming to the games.
A lot of passion.
You can feel it on the streets.
-[cheers]
-Go Yankees! [cheers]
-Go Red Sox!
-Boston is the best, baby!
[fan 1] The city is just so magical.
You just can't help but love
being in the city
and being able to come to Fenway.
It's almost like being with your family.
When you get inside, you'll get it.
[Martin] When you think of this country,
all the arenas, all the parks are new.
Fenway is not.
It's the oldest ballpark
that Major League Baseball has,
that's still active nowadays.
And so many things have been played here,
from World Series, hockey games, concerts.
And when you walk into Fenway,
you get that sense of charm,
that sense of tradition,
that sense of family.
And I think that's why people
that aren't even fans
of the Red Sox love to come,
because it's something that's historical
and you need to experience.
-Oh! Bam!
-[woman cheers]
That's perfect. Nicely done.
[indistinct chatter]
[fan 2, in Spanish] This sport is a part
of people's lives in Boston.
And as a tourist,
you feel it and experience it.
Every brick and every seat in the stadium
is pure history.
[in English] Wherever you go,
do what locals do.
This is what locals do here.
The lobster roll is officially
and originally from Boston.
You can have it hot, cold,
with butter, with Cajun seasoning.
It's not cheap, but it's an experience
that you have to have if you come here.
If you come to Boston,
you need to get lobster.
-Let's do it.
-Okay, are you ready?
Now we got to get a hot dog
when we get inside.
It's a feast the American way.
[Martin] We sought out
the appropriate attire for the occasion,
and set out to enjoy the show.
[mellow instrumental music playing]
[Martin] A true museum,
but one filled with sporting action.
A stadium built in 1912
with a seating capacity
of 38,000 spectators.
-[fans cheering]
-[music concludes]
[emotional instrumental music playing]
Yankees versus the Red Sox
We're in this space, we're so close.
I feel like I can just taste the pitch.
[fans clamoring, applauding]
[Martin] For baseball aficionados,
this ballpark is a mandatory stop.
An engineering masterpiece
that blends steel, brick, and concrete.
This is another point of view from a place
where tickets are more affordable,
where you can see
the most historical part of Fenway Park.
Following a major fire in the 1930s,
a large portion
of the stadium was rebuilt.
However, many of its stands
have retained the vision
of the original design,
such as the Green Monster
and the original scoreboard.
A truly unique setting
that we simply had to visit.
[music concludes]
[Martin] Located about 20 miles south
of Boston lies Foxborough,
where on days
when sporting events are held,
a train runs to a station situated
right in front of the city's main stadium,
a venue with a special history of its own.
[gentle instrumental music playing]
[Martin] Welcome to Boston.
We are here at the stadium
where New England Revolution plays.
A team that's one of the founders
of the Major League Soccer.
And with this word, "revolution,"
talks about the beginning
of this country right here in this city.
Welcome to the World Cup stadium
here in Boston.
And here too,
history makes its presence felt.
On this very site
stood a World Cup Stadium in 1994,
one that was subsequently demolished
and rebuilt in 2002.
And it was here that Maradona scored
his final goal in the World Cup.
The feeling I have being here
is like there's a new stadium,
but it talks about the past as well.
[Chelsea] Boston is one
of the oldest cities in the United States,
but you can also see it
from this stadium, right?
You have the lighthouse,
which is such a signature part of Boston
and they have it
right here in the stadium.
[Martin] Also the names.
You have the Patriots
and New England Revolution.
It talks about a very important moment
in the creation of a new country.
[music fades]
[Martin] Several key figures
in the development
of soccer in this country
played significant roles
in the last World Cup
held in the United States.
[indistinct chatter]
[Brian] Yeah, bring the projections,
then bring the historical.
Probably heading over
to the stadium in five, ten minutes or so?
[Martin]
This is the story of Brian Bilello,
president of the New England Revolution.
Buh-bye.
I was 19 years old, I was in college,
and me and my buddies got jobs
as ushers and security guards
for the '94 World Cup.
In fact, there's this great picture
of me at the World Cup,
and it's Maradona, Batistuta and Simeone
celebrating a goal for Argentina
right in front of the Greek bench
and 19-year-old me
is right behind the bench.
[soft instrumental music playing]
[Brian] I think about that World Cup
every day, and how important it was
to soccer fans like myself,
you know, teenagers, young adults,
who love the sport in a country
that didn't teach us to love the sport.
And having the World Cup
in our country was so meaningful,
and having a league launch
right after that World Cup
was so meaningful.
[Martin] A central figure
in Massachusetts sports,
and the lead organizer
for hosting a new World Cup in this city.
And I think part of growing up
without the sport at a pro level,
was always something that…
you know, seeing the World Cup,
seeing what high-level soccer could be,
seeing what live soccer could be,
and the passion of that,
it really struck me, and so…
I think a lot of us
who are connected to the sport,
who love the sport,
felt a real obligation,
to, you know, to support the league,
to help the league nourish.
And I'm just blessed
that I was able to do that.
[Martin] How are you going to live
the next World Cup,
since you started with 19 years old,
right here on this football stadium?
When you come to a World Cup,
you see not only
the highest level of play on the pitch,
but the highest level of passion
for the fans of any sport at any level.
And I hope so many people
who leave the stadium,
become a bigger fan of-- of the sport.
And I think it's pretty easy to predict
that we're going to see that after 2026.
[Martin] Boston Stadium
will host seven matches
during the upcoming World Cup.
Five group-stage matches,
plus a round of 32, and a quarter-final.
And we had the privilege
of admiring the view
from the stadium's iconic lighthouse,
paying tribute to New England's identity.
[music fades]
[mellow instrumental music playing]
[indistinct chatter]
[Martin] And so,
we bid farewell to Boston.
We head south towards a neighboring city.
New York awaits us once again.
But this time,
we delve deeper into its culture
and its perspective
on the upcoming World Cup.
And we do so
aboard a newly launched high-speed train.
[Chelsea] Right now, we're on the Acela,
and it's the perfect way
to get to New York City,
because it's the fastest train
in the United States.
-Really?
-We can get there in under three hours.
How-- How incredible is that?
So, this is the perfect way
to get into a city that moves so fast.
You know what?
Boston has been amazing,
but I'm looking forward
to go to your city.
Not only to see it, but to feel it,
to get to understand a city so iconic
like New York City.
[music fades]
[intriguing instrumental music playing]
[Martin] Today we explore
the most visited urban park
in all the United States.
A rectangle of 2.5 miles long
and a half mile wide,
right here in the heart of Manhattan.
Designed in 1857,
this green lung invites people
to engage in sports year round.
Chelsea, I love Central Park.
It is one of my favorite places
here in New York.
Every time I come here,
I ask myself the same question.
You see people playing baseball,
American football, but soccer?
Very few.
Yes, they play it somewhere else.
And let me tell you,
Martin, it's creative.
You're going to see some flair.
[music concludes]
[soft instrumental music playing]
[Josh] I think soccer is not necessarily
the first sport that people play here.
I think in the US, we made the mistake
of making soccer quite an organized sport.
So, if you don't have referees,
you don't have teams,
you don't have all the-- all of that,
people don't always play.
[Martin] We hear from Josh,
a New York local and a soccer enthusiast.
His perspective
helps us understand the challenges
that this sport faces in the big city.
[Josh] We've definitely found
a really nice community of people
who play-- play soccer here in New York.
How would you describe
the soccer culture in New York City?
I would say it's largely led
by immigrant communities,
people that maybe were born
and raised in another country,
in another culture,
where they live and breathe soccer.
I carry a ball with me all the time.
So, anytime I see a space to play,
I… I want to play.
We try to play in spaces
where you wouldn't look at and say,
"Hey, that's a soccer space."
And so we try to be creative
and try to bring back a little bit of…
-The street flair
-The street flair, exactly.
-[Martin] Which places?
-Yeah, I'll show you. Yeah. [laughs]
[upbeat instrumental music playing]
[Martin] And so,
creativity comes to the forefront.
The city boasts
with over 1,800 basketball courts,
including gyms and recreational centers.
The public nature of these spaces
is likely the driving force
behind the growth of basketball
in this country.
That is why, today, the urban soccer scene
in this city offers a brilliant solution.
Soccer goals, as in the nets and posts,
that emerge right up
from beneath the ground,
using the space in an efficient manner.
There's a couple of these
hidden throughout New York.
-[Martin] I love it.
-[music concludes]
In a basketball culture, it's a great idea
to have soccer goals in the same spot,
in the same area,
giving the opportunity for kids
to taste it, to try to play soccer,
to build up a new culture.
[man] Go!
[exciting electronic music playing]
[Josh] Street soccer is football
in its purest form.
It's where people
can really express themselves,
where they can show their skills,
where they can try something in a space
where it doesn't matter
if it doesn't come off.
Just here playing with your friends,
having a good time
and mastering your craft.
[Martin] Once a space to play
has been found,
this soccer community offers apps
to help gather players,
a solution to the challenge
of finding enough people for a game.
And it really brings people who really
wouldn't think about street soccer.
Makes them think, "Maybe I can play it,
maybe I can try it," or…
The whole point is
to bring people together, play, hang out.
[mellow instrumental music playing]
[Martin] And now, it's our turn.
With her background
as a professional player,
Chelsea likely has the upper hand.
But it seems the guiding principle here
is that everyone is welcome.
Co-ed urban soccer in New York City.
It's a sport currently undergoing
a massive transformation
across the city's major urban hubs,
such as Queens, Manhattan,
Brooklyn, and the Bronx.
It's a scene that stirs up memories
for our colleague,
connecting her to her roots
and her childhood.
This was me when I was younger.
I think I had to be maybe two and a half.
I'm an only child,
so I would follow my dad everywhere,
and he used to play,
and I wanted to be exactly like him.
Yeah, that's when my love
for the game started.
[Martin] You can tell that smile
has to do with what football gives you.
Soccer's always given me that happiness,
and for as long as I can remember,
I always wanted to be
a professional soccer player.
And this country gave me that opportunity,
to be able to play travel soccer,
club soccer,
and then I went ahead,
and was able to travel the world.
[Martin] What this soccer development
in the barrios,
in the neighborhood, means for you?
It makes me happy,
because we didn't have that
really growing up.
You had to go
to either a really bad neighborhood,
or you had to go to a park to go play,
or you had to have money.
So, being able to see these situations,
these parks for kids
that don't really have,
um, the economic sense that I had,
it makes me happy
'cause it gives them an opportunity.
[Martin] A perspective
and a necessary reminder
for understanding
the evolution of local soccer.
There is work ahead,
but the intention is sound.
[music concludes]
[poignant instrumental music playing]
[Martin] At the southern tip of Manhattan
is its financial heart,
and also the oldest part of the city.
The Financial District
with its iconic Wall Street
is practically an outdoor museum,
where the story of New York's
Dutch colonial past is told.
A neighborhood
that blends original facades
with skyscrapers, banks,
and financial institutions.
The Financial District in New York City
is the oldest neighborhood in New York.
That street right over there
was the northern border
of the city that was once known
as New Amsterdam.
Here we are,
sitting in front of the historic
New York Stock Exchange building.
[Martin] Today,
we will have the opportunity
to explore the inner workings
of American capitalism.
We're visiting the legendary building
of the New York Stock Exchange.
[intriguing instrumental music playing]
[Martin] The trading day begins
with the running of a bronze bell.
It is a symbolic event
where executives
from publicly traded companies
mark the start of the trading session.
-[bell ringing]
-[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
We just heard the most famous bell
here in New York.
The day starts right now.
[Chris] We have two bells a day.
Opening bell at 9:30 in the morning
to open the markets,
and 4:00 p.m. to close the markets.
What is the word "exchange"?
I mean, what happens here?
Trading on the exchange facilitates
what's called "price discovery,"
a company's valuation.
It's the idea that this place has,
that people really embrace.
It's about innovation,
it's about entrepreneurship,
it's about opportunity.
It's a unique…
part of the United States,
the equity culture, the risk culture.
[intriguing instrumental music playing]
Where we're standing right now
holds so much history, Martin.
I mean, even the bell,
that started in 1792
under a buttonwood tree, ringing a bell.
And now we're here, and they still exist,
just in a different manner.
[music concludes]
[Martin] To better understand the history
and culture of this place,
we're going to delve into the story
of New York's most iconic stockbroker,
Peter Tuchman,
the Einstein of Wall Street.
[perky instrumental music playing]
[Peter] I'm known as
the Einstein of Wall Street, right?
So, I'm not that smart.
I just look like Einstein, right?
It's a character that people gave me
many, many years ago.
-How many years have you spent here?
-I just celebrated 40 years here.
So, I'm actually one of
the longest standing people…
brokers, in fact, who's been here.
My son is my partner.
-We are the last father and son team here.
-[Martin] Nice.
[Peter] This used
to be all family-run businesses.
We trade more than 2,000 stocks here.
If I were to ask you
what computer you use,
what sneakers you wear,
what you do in your spare time,
what social media you're on,
all of those are publicly traded companies
that we trade here.
[Chelsea]
How have you seen this space evolve?
The changes have been drastic
in so many ways.
When I got down here in 1985,
it was a room full
of about 7,000, mostly men,
right, who were screaming and yelling,
open outcry auction market.
It was nonstop.
Technology has changed the business a lot.
But I think in this wild,
volatile market that we live now,
humans are more relevant than ever before.
[music concludes]
[exciting instrumental music playing]
[Martin] Although the majority
of transactions today are digital,
this building remains the operational hub,
and the very heart of finance
for this country
and for much of the world.
[music fades]
[indistinct chatter]
[upbeat instrumental music playing]
[Martin] Wow, Broadway. I love it. I mean,
the lights, the colors, the musicals.
Martin, this is the heartbeat of theater.
New York has so much different theaters,
underground, comedy clubs.
And today, I'm going to take you
to explore the different styles
-by taking the New York City subway.
-Really?
Yeah, and it's actually considered
one of the largest systems
in the United States.
[Martin] It's a great combination.
-I can't wait.
-Let's go.
[music concludes]
[Martin] The New York City subway
is one of the most extensive
transportation systems on the planet.
With 472 active stations,
it boasts the highest number
of any system in the world.
Today, we set out to experience it
in a very special way.
[gentle instrumental music playing]
[Martin] This is LizaBanks,
actress and stand-up comedian.
Her workday is just beginning.
[music concludes]
[Martin] And within
this truly unique universe
that is the New York City subway system,
we will discover her art
and the way she navigates the city.
-Hello!
-Hi, what's going on?
-How are you?
-[Chelsea] How are you?
Are we hugging? What's going on? Martin!
-[Martin] Hi, how are you?
-Martin, nice to meet you.
[Martin] Liza, it's crazy.
I mean, there's people coming
from so many places.
All of New York will be
in the New York City subway system today,
but I have a little challenge
for you guys.
I've got three shows,
two different boroughs,
so I'm gonna take you with me,
and we're gonna go
get three shows in, like, two hours.
[Chelsea] Do you do this all the time
to get to your shows?
Every single day.
Every single day, it's the New York City
Magic Carpet Ride,
-is what I call it.
-[all laugh]
So, we're going to go Lower East Side,
East Village, and then Brooklyn.
I'm very excited. Are you guys ready?
-I like the challenge.
-Let's go.
[intriguing instrumental music playing]
[Martin] Three shows over the course
of two hours, all while riding the subway.
Okay, first subway that we're taking?
-[LizaBanks] Yeah.
-[Martin] Where are we heading?
We're heading downtown.
We're going to the Lower East Side,
so we're going to 8th Street, NYU,
and then we're gonna walk across.
The subway system
is a reflection of New York.
-Yeah.
-Right? The entire city's on the subway,
and they're also kind of mirrors
to each other.
[Julian] This stage was just featured
in the New York Comedy festival!
Everyone, start clapping right now.
Everybody, LizaBanks Campagna!
[audience cheering]
Give it up for Julian Jarrett,
everybody, yeah!
[audience laughing]
He's getting this on film.
I'm gonna get in trouble.
I… Are you guys excited?
Are you sad about summer being over?
You guys have a good summer?
What'd you say? You're good?
You're good on summer?
-Okay, guy.
-[crowd chuckling]
[uplifting instrumental music playing]
[speaking indistinctly]
[Martin] New York is considered
the capital of stand-up comedy.
The variety of comedic sketches
in this city is simply unmatched
when comparing it
to anywhere else in the world.
[energetic jazz music playing]
-[exclaims] Yes, yes, yes.
-It's like this, I mean, on the--
-The train keeps you going also, huh?
-[LizaBanks] Yeah,
it's very addicting, you know?
-Are we on time?
-Never. No.
[music concludes]
-LizaBanks Campagna!
-[audience cheering, applauding]
Give it up for Harshil, everybody!
Hold on to your seat!
-[speaking indistinctly]
-[mellow electronic music playing]
[speaking indistinctly]
[crowd laughing]
[Martin] Each show can last anywhere
from ten to 20 minutes.
Therefore, the city's subway system
allows our comedian to traverse the city.
[laughing]
How do you get your inspiration
from the trains?
So, when I'm on the train,
that's when I do my best thinking.
That's when ideas come to me.
Because it feels like
everything is happening here
and I'm in rhythm with the city.
I'm literally in the flow, in the zone.
The ideas come together here.
[Colleen] Our girl, LizaBanks Campagna!
-Give it up for Colleen, everybody! Yeah!
-[audience cheering, applauding]
[Martin] The New York subway as a source
of inspiration and theater,
and the arts as a way of life.
This is New York,
and this was Last Train to North America.
[gentle instrumental music playing]
[music concludes]
[Martin] We leave Canada behind
and we're back in the US.
The first city is Boston.
We're gonna meet with Chelsea again,
and we're gonna discover
a city that knows what it's like
to host a World Cup,
they have done it in 1994,
but with a different angle,
from a different perspective.
Welcome. This is
Last Train to North America.
After a train journey
of about 16 hours from Toronto,
we arrived in the capital
of Massachusetts.
Undoubtedly, one of the most
influential cities in the United States.
The educational
and technological epicenter
of what is known as "New England."
Welcome to Boston.
[music concludes]
[theme music playing]
[Martin] Welcome.
This is Last Train to Russia.
And from here, we continue
with Last Train to Qatar.
This is the stadium that will host
the next World Cup final.
[theme music concludes]
[Martin] This is
Last Train to North America.
[cheerful instrumental music playing]
[Martin] This is not a museum.
It's not a movie set.
It's Boston.
This is like walking into history.
You said it.
This is where
the American Revolution sparked to life.
And now it's mixed with so much history,
but blended into modernness.
'Cause as you're walking these streets,
I mean, you can see the cobblestones,
the walls, the buildings.
You're learning history as you walk.
[Martin] Considered the most
European city in the country,
Boston showcases its streets
as an outdoor museum
where history and tradition
play a predominant role.
[music concludes]
The games matter again!
Scorecard, program, lineup for the game!
Go Red Sox!
[thrilling instrumental music playing]
[Martin] Among its most deeply-rooted
cultural traits,
sports play a fundamental role.
This afternoon,
we're visiting Fenway Park,
the oldest baseball stadium in the MLB.
Despite its constant evolution,
it remains a historical landmark.
Today is not just another day.
It's game day.
The Red Sox are playing,
and they're playing against the Yankees.
Welcome to Fenway Park.
There's such a natural connection
between Boston and Fenway Park, right?
[Chelsea] Yeah, there is.
I mean, baseball is known
as America's pastime.
And we spoke about
how Boston has so much history.
Well, the Red Sox
is one of the most historical teams
in the United States.
And so many people coming to the games.
A lot of passion.
You can feel it on the streets.
-[cheers]
-Go Yankees! [cheers]
-Go Red Sox!
-Boston is the best, baby!
[fan 1] The city is just so magical.
You just can't help but love
being in the city
and being able to come to Fenway.
It's almost like being with your family.
When you get inside, you'll get it.
[Martin] When you think of this country,
all the arenas, all the parks are new.
Fenway is not.
It's the oldest ballpark
that Major League Baseball has,
that's still active nowadays.
And so many things have been played here,
from World Series, hockey games, concerts.
And when you walk into Fenway,
you get that sense of charm,
that sense of tradition,
that sense of family.
And I think that's why people
that aren't even fans
of the Red Sox love to come,
because it's something that's historical
and you need to experience.
-Oh! Bam!
-[woman cheers]
That's perfect. Nicely done.
[indistinct chatter]
[fan 2, in Spanish] This sport is a part
of people's lives in Boston.
And as a tourist,
you feel it and experience it.
Every brick and every seat in the stadium
is pure history.
[in English] Wherever you go,
do what locals do.
This is what locals do here.
The lobster roll is officially
and originally from Boston.
You can have it hot, cold,
with butter, with Cajun seasoning.
It's not cheap, but it's an experience
that you have to have if you come here.
If you come to Boston,
you need to get lobster.
-Let's do it.
-Okay, are you ready?
Now we got to get a hot dog
when we get inside.
It's a feast the American way.
[Martin] We sought out
the appropriate attire for the occasion,
and set out to enjoy the show.
[mellow instrumental music playing]
[Martin] A true museum,
but one filled with sporting action.
A stadium built in 1912
with a seating capacity
of 38,000 spectators.
-[fans cheering]
-[music concludes]
[emotional instrumental music playing]
Yankees versus the Red Sox
We're in this space, we're so close.
I feel like I can just taste the pitch.
[fans clamoring, applauding]
[Martin] For baseball aficionados,
this ballpark is a mandatory stop.
An engineering masterpiece
that blends steel, brick, and concrete.
This is another point of view from a place
where tickets are more affordable,
where you can see
the most historical part of Fenway Park.
Following a major fire in the 1930s,
a large portion
of the stadium was rebuilt.
However, many of its stands
have retained the vision
of the original design,
such as the Green Monster
and the original scoreboard.
A truly unique setting
that we simply had to visit.
[music concludes]
[Martin] Located about 20 miles south
of Boston lies Foxborough,
where on days
when sporting events are held,
a train runs to a station situated
right in front of the city's main stadium,
a venue with a special history of its own.
[gentle instrumental music playing]
[Martin] Welcome to Boston.
We are here at the stadium
where New England Revolution plays.
A team that's one of the founders
of the Major League Soccer.
And with this word, "revolution,"
talks about the beginning
of this country right here in this city.
Welcome to the World Cup stadium
here in Boston.
And here too,
history makes its presence felt.
On this very site
stood a World Cup Stadium in 1994,
one that was subsequently demolished
and rebuilt in 2002.
And it was here that Maradona scored
his final goal in the World Cup.
The feeling I have being here
is like there's a new stadium,
but it talks about the past as well.
[Chelsea] Boston is one
of the oldest cities in the United States,
but you can also see it
from this stadium, right?
You have the lighthouse,
which is such a signature part of Boston
and they have it
right here in the stadium.
[Martin] Also the names.
You have the Patriots
and New England Revolution.
It talks about a very important moment
in the creation of a new country.
[music fades]
[Martin] Several key figures
in the development
of soccer in this country
played significant roles
in the last World Cup
held in the United States.
[indistinct chatter]
[Brian] Yeah, bring the projections,
then bring the historical.
Probably heading over
to the stadium in five, ten minutes or so?
[Martin]
This is the story of Brian Bilello,
president of the New England Revolution.
Buh-bye.
I was 19 years old, I was in college,
and me and my buddies got jobs
as ushers and security guards
for the '94 World Cup.
In fact, there's this great picture
of me at the World Cup,
and it's Maradona, Batistuta and Simeone
celebrating a goal for Argentina
right in front of the Greek bench
and 19-year-old me
is right behind the bench.
[soft instrumental music playing]
[Brian] I think about that World Cup
every day, and how important it was
to soccer fans like myself,
you know, teenagers, young adults,
who love the sport in a country
that didn't teach us to love the sport.
And having the World Cup
in our country was so meaningful,
and having a league launch
right after that World Cup
was so meaningful.
[Martin] A central figure
in Massachusetts sports,
and the lead organizer
for hosting a new World Cup in this city.
And I think part of growing up
without the sport at a pro level,
was always something that…
you know, seeing the World Cup,
seeing what high-level soccer could be,
seeing what live soccer could be,
and the passion of that,
it really struck me, and so…
I think a lot of us
who are connected to the sport,
who love the sport,
felt a real obligation,
to, you know, to support the league,
to help the league nourish.
And I'm just blessed
that I was able to do that.
[Martin] How are you going to live
the next World Cup,
since you started with 19 years old,
right here on this football stadium?
When you come to a World Cup,
you see not only
the highest level of play on the pitch,
but the highest level of passion
for the fans of any sport at any level.
And I hope so many people
who leave the stadium,
become a bigger fan of-- of the sport.
And I think it's pretty easy to predict
that we're going to see that after 2026.
[Martin] Boston Stadium
will host seven matches
during the upcoming World Cup.
Five group-stage matches,
plus a round of 32, and a quarter-final.
And we had the privilege
of admiring the view
from the stadium's iconic lighthouse,
paying tribute to New England's identity.
[music fades]
[mellow instrumental music playing]
[indistinct chatter]
[Martin] And so,
we bid farewell to Boston.
We head south towards a neighboring city.
New York awaits us once again.
But this time,
we delve deeper into its culture
and its perspective
on the upcoming World Cup.
And we do so
aboard a newly launched high-speed train.
[Chelsea] Right now, we're on the Acela,
and it's the perfect way
to get to New York City,
because it's the fastest train
in the United States.
-Really?
-We can get there in under three hours.
How-- How incredible is that?
So, this is the perfect way
to get into a city that moves so fast.
You know what?
Boston has been amazing,
but I'm looking forward
to go to your city.
Not only to see it, but to feel it,
to get to understand a city so iconic
like New York City.
[music fades]
[intriguing instrumental music playing]
[Martin] Today we explore
the most visited urban park
in all the United States.
A rectangle of 2.5 miles long
and a half mile wide,
right here in the heart of Manhattan.
Designed in 1857,
this green lung invites people
to engage in sports year round.
Chelsea, I love Central Park.
It is one of my favorite places
here in New York.
Every time I come here,
I ask myself the same question.
You see people playing baseball,
American football, but soccer?
Very few.
Yes, they play it somewhere else.
And let me tell you,
Martin, it's creative.
You're going to see some flair.
[music concludes]
[soft instrumental music playing]
[Josh] I think soccer is not necessarily
the first sport that people play here.
I think in the US, we made the mistake
of making soccer quite an organized sport.
So, if you don't have referees,
you don't have teams,
you don't have all the-- all of that,
people don't always play.
[Martin] We hear from Josh,
a New York local and a soccer enthusiast.
His perspective
helps us understand the challenges
that this sport faces in the big city.
[Josh] We've definitely found
a really nice community of people
who play-- play soccer here in New York.
How would you describe
the soccer culture in New York City?
I would say it's largely led
by immigrant communities,
people that maybe were born
and raised in another country,
in another culture,
where they live and breathe soccer.
I carry a ball with me all the time.
So, anytime I see a space to play,
I… I want to play.
We try to play in spaces
where you wouldn't look at and say,
"Hey, that's a soccer space."
And so we try to be creative
and try to bring back a little bit of…
-The street flair
-The street flair, exactly.
-[Martin] Which places?
-Yeah, I'll show you. Yeah. [laughs]
[upbeat instrumental music playing]
[Martin] And so,
creativity comes to the forefront.
The city boasts
with over 1,800 basketball courts,
including gyms and recreational centers.
The public nature of these spaces
is likely the driving force
behind the growth of basketball
in this country.
That is why, today, the urban soccer scene
in this city offers a brilliant solution.
Soccer goals, as in the nets and posts,
that emerge right up
from beneath the ground,
using the space in an efficient manner.
There's a couple of these
hidden throughout New York.
-[Martin] I love it.
-[music concludes]
In a basketball culture, it's a great idea
to have soccer goals in the same spot,
in the same area,
giving the opportunity for kids
to taste it, to try to play soccer,
to build up a new culture.
[man] Go!
[exciting electronic music playing]
[Josh] Street soccer is football
in its purest form.
It's where people
can really express themselves,
where they can show their skills,
where they can try something in a space
where it doesn't matter
if it doesn't come off.
Just here playing with your friends,
having a good time
and mastering your craft.
[Martin] Once a space to play
has been found,
this soccer community offers apps
to help gather players,
a solution to the challenge
of finding enough people for a game.
And it really brings people who really
wouldn't think about street soccer.
Makes them think, "Maybe I can play it,
maybe I can try it," or…
The whole point is
to bring people together, play, hang out.
[mellow instrumental music playing]
[Martin] And now, it's our turn.
With her background
as a professional player,
Chelsea likely has the upper hand.
But it seems the guiding principle here
is that everyone is welcome.
Co-ed urban soccer in New York City.
It's a sport currently undergoing
a massive transformation
across the city's major urban hubs,
such as Queens, Manhattan,
Brooklyn, and the Bronx.
It's a scene that stirs up memories
for our colleague,
connecting her to her roots
and her childhood.
This was me when I was younger.
I think I had to be maybe two and a half.
I'm an only child,
so I would follow my dad everywhere,
and he used to play,
and I wanted to be exactly like him.
Yeah, that's when my love
for the game started.
[Martin] You can tell that smile
has to do with what football gives you.
Soccer's always given me that happiness,
and for as long as I can remember,
I always wanted to be
a professional soccer player.
And this country gave me that opportunity,
to be able to play travel soccer,
club soccer,
and then I went ahead,
and was able to travel the world.
[Martin] What this soccer development
in the barrios,
in the neighborhood, means for you?
It makes me happy,
because we didn't have that
really growing up.
You had to go
to either a really bad neighborhood,
or you had to go to a park to go play,
or you had to have money.
So, being able to see these situations,
these parks for kids
that don't really have,
um, the economic sense that I had,
it makes me happy
'cause it gives them an opportunity.
[Martin] A perspective
and a necessary reminder
for understanding
the evolution of local soccer.
There is work ahead,
but the intention is sound.
[music concludes]
[poignant instrumental music playing]
[Martin] At the southern tip of Manhattan
is its financial heart,
and also the oldest part of the city.
The Financial District
with its iconic Wall Street
is practically an outdoor museum,
where the story of New York's
Dutch colonial past is told.
A neighborhood
that blends original facades
with skyscrapers, banks,
and financial institutions.
The Financial District in New York City
is the oldest neighborhood in New York.
That street right over there
was the northern border
of the city that was once known
as New Amsterdam.
Here we are,
sitting in front of the historic
New York Stock Exchange building.
[Martin] Today,
we will have the opportunity
to explore the inner workings
of American capitalism.
We're visiting the legendary building
of the New York Stock Exchange.
[intriguing instrumental music playing]
[Martin] The trading day begins
with the running of a bronze bell.
It is a symbolic event
where executives
from publicly traded companies
mark the start of the trading session.
-[bell ringing]
-[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
We just heard the most famous bell
here in New York.
The day starts right now.
[Chris] We have two bells a day.
Opening bell at 9:30 in the morning
to open the markets,
and 4:00 p.m. to close the markets.
What is the word "exchange"?
I mean, what happens here?
Trading on the exchange facilitates
what's called "price discovery,"
a company's valuation.
It's the idea that this place has,
that people really embrace.
It's about innovation,
it's about entrepreneurship,
it's about opportunity.
It's a unique…
part of the United States,
the equity culture, the risk culture.
[intriguing instrumental music playing]
Where we're standing right now
holds so much history, Martin.
I mean, even the bell,
that started in 1792
under a buttonwood tree, ringing a bell.
And now we're here, and they still exist,
just in a different manner.
[music concludes]
[Martin] To better understand the history
and culture of this place,
we're going to delve into the story
of New York's most iconic stockbroker,
Peter Tuchman,
the Einstein of Wall Street.
[perky instrumental music playing]
[Peter] I'm known as
the Einstein of Wall Street, right?
So, I'm not that smart.
I just look like Einstein, right?
It's a character that people gave me
many, many years ago.
-How many years have you spent here?
-I just celebrated 40 years here.
So, I'm actually one of
the longest standing people…
brokers, in fact, who's been here.
My son is my partner.
-We are the last father and son team here.
-[Martin] Nice.
[Peter] This used
to be all family-run businesses.
We trade more than 2,000 stocks here.
If I were to ask you
what computer you use,
what sneakers you wear,
what you do in your spare time,
what social media you're on,
all of those are publicly traded companies
that we trade here.
[Chelsea]
How have you seen this space evolve?
The changes have been drastic
in so many ways.
When I got down here in 1985,
it was a room full
of about 7,000, mostly men,
right, who were screaming and yelling,
open outcry auction market.
It was nonstop.
Technology has changed the business a lot.
But I think in this wild,
volatile market that we live now,
humans are more relevant than ever before.
[music concludes]
[exciting instrumental music playing]
[Martin] Although the majority
of transactions today are digital,
this building remains the operational hub,
and the very heart of finance
for this country
and for much of the world.
[music fades]
[indistinct chatter]
[upbeat instrumental music playing]
[Martin] Wow, Broadway. I love it. I mean,
the lights, the colors, the musicals.
Martin, this is the heartbeat of theater.
New York has so much different theaters,
underground, comedy clubs.
And today, I'm going to take you
to explore the different styles
-by taking the New York City subway.
-Really?
Yeah, and it's actually considered
one of the largest systems
in the United States.
[Martin] It's a great combination.
-I can't wait.
-Let's go.
[music concludes]
[Martin] The New York City subway
is one of the most extensive
transportation systems on the planet.
With 472 active stations,
it boasts the highest number
of any system in the world.
Today, we set out to experience it
in a very special way.
[gentle instrumental music playing]
[Martin] This is LizaBanks,
actress and stand-up comedian.
Her workday is just beginning.
[music concludes]
[Martin] And within
this truly unique universe
that is the New York City subway system,
we will discover her art
and the way she navigates the city.
-Hello!
-Hi, what's going on?
-How are you?
-[Chelsea] How are you?
Are we hugging? What's going on? Martin!
-[Martin] Hi, how are you?
-Martin, nice to meet you.
[Martin] Liza, it's crazy.
I mean, there's people coming
from so many places.
All of New York will be
in the New York City subway system today,
but I have a little challenge
for you guys.
I've got three shows,
two different boroughs,
so I'm gonna take you with me,
and we're gonna go
get three shows in, like, two hours.
[Chelsea] Do you do this all the time
to get to your shows?
Every single day.
Every single day, it's the New York City
Magic Carpet Ride,
-is what I call it.
-[all laugh]
So, we're going to go Lower East Side,
East Village, and then Brooklyn.
I'm very excited. Are you guys ready?
-I like the challenge.
-Let's go.
[intriguing instrumental music playing]
[Martin] Three shows over the course
of two hours, all while riding the subway.
Okay, first subway that we're taking?
-[LizaBanks] Yeah.
-[Martin] Where are we heading?
We're heading downtown.
We're going to the Lower East Side,
so we're going to 8th Street, NYU,
and then we're gonna walk across.
The subway system
is a reflection of New York.
-Yeah.
-Right? The entire city's on the subway,
and they're also kind of mirrors
to each other.
[Julian] This stage was just featured
in the New York Comedy festival!
Everyone, start clapping right now.
Everybody, LizaBanks Campagna!
[audience cheering]
Give it up for Julian Jarrett,
everybody, yeah!
[audience laughing]
He's getting this on film.
I'm gonna get in trouble.
I… Are you guys excited?
Are you sad about summer being over?
You guys have a good summer?
What'd you say? You're good?
You're good on summer?
-Okay, guy.
-[crowd chuckling]
[uplifting instrumental music playing]
[speaking indistinctly]
[Martin] New York is considered
the capital of stand-up comedy.
The variety of comedic sketches
in this city is simply unmatched
when comparing it
to anywhere else in the world.
[energetic jazz music playing]
-[exclaims] Yes, yes, yes.
-It's like this, I mean, on the--
-The train keeps you going also, huh?
-[LizaBanks] Yeah,
it's very addicting, you know?
-Are we on time?
-Never. No.
[music concludes]
-LizaBanks Campagna!
-[audience cheering, applauding]
Give it up for Harshil, everybody!
Hold on to your seat!
-[speaking indistinctly]
-[mellow electronic music playing]
[speaking indistinctly]
[crowd laughing]
[Martin] Each show can last anywhere
from ten to 20 minutes.
Therefore, the city's subway system
allows our comedian to traverse the city.
[laughing]
How do you get your inspiration
from the trains?
So, when I'm on the train,
that's when I do my best thinking.
That's when ideas come to me.
Because it feels like
everything is happening here
and I'm in rhythm with the city.
I'm literally in the flow, in the zone.
The ideas come together here.
[Colleen] Our girl, LizaBanks Campagna!
-Give it up for Colleen, everybody! Yeah!
-[audience cheering, applauding]
[Martin] The New York subway as a source
of inspiration and theater,
and the arts as a way of life.
This is New York,
and this was Last Train to North America.
[gentle instrumental music playing]
[music concludes]