Steve Nash Brings Soccer Magic To New York

While Euro 2008 was reaching its climatic final stages in Europe, American soccer fans enjoyed a match dubbed the Showdown in Chinatown in New York City last night, in which professional football players went head-to-head with NBA stars for charity.

Organized by the Phoenix Suns’ Steve Nash, the game featured appearances from Barcelona forward Thierry Henry, Red Bulls midfielder Claudio Reyna, former Liverpool star Robbie Fowler, and NBA players Baron Davis, Jason Kidd, Raja Bell, and Leandro Barbosa.

“We want to play just like we do in basketball,” said the NBA’s Baron Davis before the game. “I know that we can win if we outscore the other team.”

But outscore them they didn’t. The soccer players’ side outclassed the NBA players in all aspects of the game, with Henry teasing his opponents with his usual skills and theatrics, such as juggling the ball for 20 yards at a time or balancing it on his head. The footballers eventually won the 60-minute game, 9-4.

Although the game was free to attend, donations were taken for the Steve Nash Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps underprivileged children in their health, personal development, education and enjoyment of life.

“Football and my foundation are two of my big passions,” said Nash. “And the chance to bring together guys like Thierry and Baron and Jason and Claudio [was] a lot of fun.”