SHOWDOWN

NEW YORK 2025 RECAP

We’re back!  After a far-too-long pandemic-induced-construction-extended hiatus, our friends at Nike and Street FC lent their passion for street soccer as we brought the pitch to the Pit for our 13^th Steve Nash Foundation Showdown.

Our day started at No One Home, hq for our wonderful collaborators, Street FC, as our volunteers gathered to make the day happen.  Led by SFC’s top-tier event staff, The Pit at Sara D. Roosevelt Park got a glow-up, transforming into a Showdown street soccer venue that both blended in perfectly and popped, just two blocks from Showdown’s regular pitch on New York City’s Lower East Side.

While the build-out built excitement on the street, back at No One Home, our Player Lounge opened doors in time to view some Club World Cup Action (Bayern) and get Showdown athletes ready to play.  There, we picked teams, and  players suited up in Nike kits designed by Head of State, with Nike’s NYC team of experts on hand to talk shop.  As Showdown returnees blended with first-timers, everything we love about this event compounded with the excitement of getting this particular gang back together.

When it was time to head out, Steve briefed the players on Showdown’s street format: 4-minute 5-a-side matches, winner stays on, extra points for special goals.  We walked to the Pit in the height of NYC’s heatwave, and it all began.

The action kicked off at 6pm, on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.  Under the insightful eyes and colorful commentary of our host emcees Alexis Guerreros and Uyi Omorogbe, alongside Kyle Martino, and great tunes from DJ Yavez Anthonio, the next generation of athletes debuted in a Showdown Showcase to remember: 18 of the most exciting high school ballers from all five boroughs (and a few unsuspecting volunteers tossed in at the last minute) competed for a chance to mix it up with the pros, and they came to play!  Despite the 100F heat and humidity, these teens showed up, showed out, and showed us what the future of soccer has in store.

Showcase Athletes: Cindy Alarkon, Nalani Canales, Andrés Castro, Jeison Córdova, Jeremy Gavilanes, Cristofer Gonzalez, Luis Lamar, Chris Martinez, Trixie Milledge, Asiya Parra, Carlos Plata, Rebecca Ramirez, Victoria Ranieri (our Showcase MVP), Cecelia Ricci, Chris Tchounte, Ezzio Tirado, Nora Ujkaj, Marcial Viveros, and Haro Ross and Kyah Zurek (on loan from our Showdown FC’s Volunteers).

And as the pros took center pitch, our new format highlighted the skill sets of some incredible footie artists:

Team Red/Navy/Gold: Macey Fraser (New Zealand WNT, NWSL), Mike Grella (Leeds United, MLS), Sacha Kljestan (U.S. MNT, Anderlecht, MLS), Nick Rimando (U.S. MNT, MLS), Simone Sandri (Novarra) (injured)), Rodney Wallace (Costa Rica MNT, Brasil Serie A, MLS), Bradley Wright-Phillips (Manchester City, MLS).

Team Black/Green/Gold: Edgar Davids (Netherlands MNT, Ajax), Charlie Davies (U.S. MNT, FC Sochaux, MLS), Ali Kreiger (U.S. WNT, NWSL), Peguy Luyindula (France MNT, Paris Saint-Germain F.C., MLS), Josh Richardson (U.S. Men’s Olympic Team, NBA), Chris Wingert (U.S. MNT, MLS).

Team Blue/White/Gold: Mehdi Ballouchy (MLS), Jeff Matteo (MLS), Steve Nash (Canada MNT, NBA), Midge Purce (U.S. WNT, NWSL), Mana Shim (NWSL), Ed van Gils (the Godfather of Streetfootball!).

This was no ordinary Showdown, and the Lower East Side radiated with the heat of summer and excitement.  The Pit served up a slightly cooler oasis, as family, friends and Showdown loyal descended from the sidewalks, watched from above, and energized the day.  As with every other Showdown, our faces in the crowd did not disappoint. . . .

There were goals, goals, and more goals, with the Blue team ultimately prevailing.  We already can’t wait to be back — check out the photos below (by talented NYC photographer Jonathan Louie), and sign up for our emails to stay in the know.

Follow on Twitter & Instagram @SteveNashFdn with #ShowdownNY, or visit SteveNash.org/Showdown for photos, recaps, more information, and Showdown merchandise through the years!  Hope to see you next year!