Anthony LaPaglia really likes soccer and wants to own an MLS team

15 months ago, we talked about Anthony LaPaglia’s love for the beautiful game after he appeared on ESPN during a Champion’s League game. At that time, I stated:

Our game will not take hold in this country until soccer promoters in America realize that soccer is a product that needs to be sold—get this—to Americans. Americans love television; this television star loves soccer. The cross-marketing is brilliant and I hope we see more.

I still think this is true (see: Drew Carey). I also think soccer in the U.S. will benefit from good ownership.

It turns out that LaPaglia might just be a guy who loves the game so much that he would buy an MLS team. According to LaPaglia (who, by the way, seems to harbor some crazy idea that MLS would work in Hollywood):

The key to all of it is a youth development program. If you don’t have one, you don’t have a future. In Australia, really good players leave for 10 bucks. What I would bring in would be the European mentality of football – the work ethic and the passion. I have that passion. This is what I love.”

I love hearing a guy so passionate. Let’s hope he doesn’t disappear without a trace.