TORONTO — Canadian NBA star Steve Nash relished watching Real Madrid take on Toronto FC at BMO Field on Friday night, and couldn't help but think of how cool bringing a European Goliath to Vancouver would be.
The Phoenix Suns point guard will be a part-owner of the Vancouver Whitecaps once the club joins Major League Soccer in 2011, and he'd love to get a similar friendly for his team when the time comes.
News of Madrid's visit, "made my stomach turn," Nash said after the Spanish sides' 5-1 win. "I can only imagine if it was the 'Caps getting that chance against Manchester United. It's great and we've got a ways to go to catch up but we're trying."
The Victoria native spoke with Kaka, the star Brazilian midfielder who was part of Madrid's off-season overhaul, for several minutes after the game, among other players. He believes the friendly with Toronto will only help the sport continue to grow in the country.
"It's fantastic for North American football," said Nash. "The game is growing here, I think we have tons of soccer fans here, but they're fans of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United. When those teams come over here, you see the support that we give.
"And for us to raise our level of play with Europe and the rest of the world it's important they come over and show us how it's done."
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