Zoey Deutch Set to Star as Soccer Powerhouse Marla Messing in Netflix’s Inspiring Sports Drama ‘The 99’ers’
The film recreates the historic 1999 Women’s World Cup victory that transformed women’s sports worldwide
Zoey Deutch has lined up her next major leading role, stepping into the shoes of pioneering U.S. soccer executive Marla Messing in Netflix’s upcoming true-life sports drama The 99’ers. The project follows Deutch’s strong festival buzz for her recent Sundance feature and continues her momentum as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after young actors.
Directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Nicole Kassell, known for her critically acclaimed work on HBO’s Watchmen, the film is adapted from journalist Jeré Longman’s celebrated book The Girls of Summer: The U.S. Women’s Soccer Team and How It Changed the World. The screenplay has been crafted by Katie Lovejoy, Dana Stevens, and Peter Hedges, bringing together a team of writers experienced in emotionally driven, character-focused storytelling. Production is being handled by Liza Chasin’s 3Dot Productions, along with Hayley Stool and Ross Greenburg, while Messing herself joins the project as an executive producer alongside Jill Mazursky and Krista Smith.
The 99’ers chronicles the unforgettable journey of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team during the late 1990s, culminating in their dramatic World Cup triumph in 1999. Playing in front of a massive crowd of more than 90,000 fans under intense summer heat, the team defeated China in a nail-biting penalty shootout — a moment that captivated millions of viewers and became a cultural milestone for women’s sports in America and beyond.
Deutch will portray Marla Messing, the visionary executive who led the organization of the 1999 Women’s World Cup and helped shatter attendance and television viewership records. Often described as one of the architects behind the modern growth of women’s soccer in the U.S., Messing later played a key role in launching Major League Soccer and went on to serve as interim CEO of the National Women’s Soccer League, further cementing her influence in shaping the sport’s professional landscape.
Adding star power to the ensemble, Emily Bader has been cast as soccer legend Mia Hamm, one of the most iconic athletes of the era and a central figure in the championship-winning squad. Hamm’s impact extended far beyond the field, inspiring a generation of young athletes and helping normalize women’s sports in mainstream media.
The 1999 tournament remains one of the most successful women’s sporting events in history, drawing record-breaking stadium attendance and massive television audiences while triggering a long-term boom in youth participation and professional leagues for women’s soccer in the United States.
Filming is scheduled to begin in February in New Jersey, with Netflix eyeing the project as a prestige release aimed at both sports fans and mainstream audiences. While an official release date has not yet been announced, the film is expected to generate significant awards and audience attention thanks to its powerful real-world story and high-profile creative team.
