Steve Nash loves soccer

The reigning back-to-back most valuable player in the NBA, Steve Nash, is a footie fool. Last August, Nash made headlines when he worked out with the New York Red Bulls and, in the past couple weeks, two stories about Nash caught my eye:

1) Nash, a South-African born Canadian, whose father was born in Tottenham (repeat that without looking), is interested in purchasing a stake in Tottenham Hotspur, saying, “If someone were to come in to buy Spurs, I would like to be involved.”

2) The fantastic DCenters relayed an exchange between the incredulous Tony Kornheiser and Nash (I call Tony incredulous not because he was necessarily incredulous about soccer but because he is always incredulous; that’s his shtick) on ESPN’s Pardon The Interruption. Kornheiser asked Nash if he “seriously” thought Beckham would have an effect on soccer in the U.S.

Nash responded, “You guys will be dying to have him on PTI…But I really think this sport is on its way in this country regardless. I think the talent is growing, I think they’ve always had the grassroots, and the professional league is building soccer-only stadiums…Obviously, I’m a fan and a bit biased, but I think it’s really on its way.”

When Nash retires, U.S. Soccer would do well to take him on as a domestic goodwill ambassador; he’s got a great combination of a love for the game, a likable manner and cross-sport appeal.