Dodgers News: Garciaparra Put Soccer Back Into ‘The Heart of The City’

Nomar Garciaparra grew up in Whittier, just about an hour away from Los Angeles (as always, depending on traffic) and while he obviously made a much larger name for himself playing for the Boston Red Sox, he remains personally invested in Los Angeles sports.

The latest display of his love for the city is his being invested in Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), a soccer team that will actually be from L.A., unlike the Galaxy, who play at the Stub Hub Center in Carson.

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Listen to him talk about it (via ESPN’s Andrea Canales) and it’s made pretty clear he’s thrilled at the prospect.

“I grew up playing soccer here. I know for the Hispanic population here, what it means, how they love football. It’s more than a game — it’s a way of life. Now they have a team in the heart of the city.”

Soccer is a part of the city’s culture and one would think it’s a source of passion just waiting to be properly leveraged. If Garciaparra manages to do that, alongside his wife, Mia Hamm who is also invested in the team, he stands to make a bigger impact off the field than he ever might have as a Dodger.