Last night, the tenth edition of two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash’s popular charity soccer match, The Steve Nash Foundation Showdown, took place at New York City’s Sara D. Roosevelt Park.
The Showdown featured professional soccer players and NBA stars in a soccer exhibition to benefit the Steve Nash Foundation’s programs for underserved children.
MLS players from NYCFC and New York Red Bulls stars David Villa and Sacha Kljestan faced off as opposing coaches ahead of their MLS teams’ upcoming Hudson River Derby on the weekend. They were assisted by honorary NBA coaches Joel Embiid and JJ Redick, and coached Showdown’s most talented rosters in its decade-long lineage. Some of the stars included Patrick Viera, Claudio Reyna, Jeremy Lin, Christian Fuchs, Dwayne De Rosario and many more. The talent on the pitch was nearly rivaled by some of the attendees with included the likes of Frank Ribery, Divok Origi, plus NYCFC teammates Rodney Wallace and Jack Harrison.
Aside from the match Philly 76er Joel Embid competed vs Stecve Nash ins a soccer skills competition in which Tag Huer pledged money to The Steve Nash Foundation. Also, prior the day prior to the match local teens were treated to a soccer clinic by David Villa and his D7 soccer Academy along with a free meal courtesy of Chipotle.
”Our tenth Showdown – amazing,” said Nash. “Every year, these players come out on their own time at their own expense to support the work we’re doing for kids, and we couldn’t be more proud to have them. To get to reach a global audience with Whistle Sports and introduce the game I love with these athletes, is just incredible.”
For more on the Steve Nash Foundation make sure to head over to stevenash.org
