New York, NY (May 12, 2016) — The 9th edition of New York City summer staple, the Steve Nash Foundation Showdown, promises to be one of the most exciting matches in its long history. Two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash and six-time MLS Cup winner Landon Donovan will face off on the pitch in a fast-paced competitive soccer match featuring NBA and professional soccer stars at Sara D. Roosevelt Park on the Lower East Side on Wednesday, June 22nd.

Like Nash, a 4-time member of the NBA’s exclusive 40-50-90 club during his 19 seasons, Donovan was known as a multi-faceted playmaker during a memorable 15-year international career, and holds the U.S. Men’s National Team’s All-Time records in scoring, assists, and points, as well as Major League Soccer’s all-time scoring record.  Donovan retired from professional soccer in 2014; along with fellow USMNT teammates Stu Holden and Brian Ching, Donovan has since founded HELM Soccer, dedicated to maximizing youth soccer potential and giving back to local and national charities.  This summer, HELM will headline Showdown’s annual pre-match youth soccer clinic.

"Landon is one of the greatest soccer players the USA has ever produced,” said Steve Nash. "He grew up in the sport, and I’m excited not only to get to compete against him, but to have him share some of his incredible talent and passion for football with the kids and fans at Showdown.  We’ve been hoping to have him be a part of Showdown since we started out, and I’m just honored to have him there.”

Proceeds from Showdown support the Steve Nash Foundation’s work to benefit underserved children. Learn more at SteveNash.org.

"Showdown really grew out of not only my love for football, but for that love of pick-up games with your buddies that so many of us share,” added Nash.  “Growing up, there was always a ball that someone had, there were always kids, always a place just big enough to play – we knew the rules and we played.  It’s so much more structured now; we have kids today not really engaged in play as much as they’re becoming specialists and technicians of sport. Getting to be out on this great public park field with guys that just play is something I relish and look forward to every summer.  That my Foundation can use the match to benefit so many kids, and to be part of the work of improving children’s lives is something extremely special to me.  I’m grateful that the neighborhood welcomes us back year after year, and think it will be our most lively match yet.”

Showdown is sponsored by GNC, Nike, TAG Heuer, Jawbone ®, Major League Soccer, Kicks To The Pitch, Uni-Sport, and Phebe’s Tavern & Grill.  

The Steve Nash Foundation Showdown begins with the Showdown GNC Live Well FanFest starting at 4pm, where fans can interact with Showdown’s sponsors for fun giveaways, and chances to win prizing; the match kicks off at 6:30pm, with the best of two sports worlds competing at Sara D. Roosevelt Park on the Lower East Side (entrance at Chrystie and Stanton Streets). An on-field scrum will take place for all credentialed media prior to the game with the potential for one-on-one questions to be answered by select team members, as well as autograph opportunities for ticket holders. Leading up to the event, GNC will sponsor weekly chances for fans to win prizing; fans should be sure to follow both the Steve Nash Foundation and GNC social media accounts for chances to win.

Past Showdown rosters have included NBA players Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors), Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers), Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs), Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks), Joakim Noah (Chicago Bulls), Chris Bosh (Miami Heat), Jeremy Lin (Charlotte Hornets), Marco Belinelli (Sacramento Kings), Wilson Chandler (Denver Nuggets), Matthew Dellavedova (Cleveland Cavaliers), Luol Deng (Miami Heat), and international and MLS soccer pros Alessandro Del Piero (Italian World Cup champion), Thierry Henry (Arsenal, France, NY Red Bulls), Javier Zanetti (Inter), Patrick Vieira (NYCFC Coach, Manchester City), Mathieu Flamini (Arsenal), Massimo Ambrosini (Milan), Ivan Cordoba (Inter), Giuseppe Rossi (Levante), Massimo Gobbi (Chievo Verona), Stuart Holden (USMNT, Bolton), Emmerson Boyce (Blackpool), Robbie Rogers (Los Angeles Galaxy), Salomon Kalou (Hertha BSC), Claudio Reyna (Dir. Operations NYCFC, USA World Cup Team), and Rod Fanni (Charlton/Al-Arabi SC).

Tickets and VIP packages to Showdown are available exclusively at SteveNash.org/Showdown. Live insights into the lineup, archived materials and prizes (including autographed merchandise) will also be announced through the @SteveNashFdn Twitter and Instagram handles.

Connect on Twitter and Instagram @SteveNashFdn with #ShowdownNY or visit SteveNash.org/Showdown to get involved.

WHAT: THE STEVE NASH FOUNDATION SHOWDOWN

WHO: Hosted by STEVE NASH

WHEN: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22nd 6:30 PM

WHERE: SARA D. ROOSEVELT PARK (located at Chrystie & Stanton)

TICKETS: VIP on-field seating and packages to SHOWDOWN available at SteveNash.org/Showdown

*General Admission to Showdown is free and open to the public*

About the Steve Nash Foundation:

The Steve Nash Foundation is a US 501(c)(3) and registered Canadian charity dedicated to assisting underserved children in their health, personal development, education and enjoyment of life.  The Foundation works to increase access to critical needs resources at home and abroad to ensure that every child has a chance to grow.  Learn more at SteveNash.org.

For media and press inquiries, please contact: The Promotion Factory, Kaitlin Derkach, Kaitlin@thepromofact.com 212.217.9065

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