Iverson as soccer star

Bill Simmons answers a question from a reader:

Q: If soccer was king in the U.S. and every kid grew up playing it, which current athlete would be the best soccer player?
–Szabi, Far Hills

Simmons: My old answer for this question was Allen Iverson. He’s washed up now, but the reasons I always thought he would thrive on a soccer field still hold up: lower center of gravity, explosive speed, phenomenal coordination, leaping ability and a feistiness/toughness/arrogance that every great soccer player has. (FYI: The world’s two best players right now are 5-foot-7 Lionel Messi and 5-10 Wayne Rooney.) Can you think of any American athlete exactly like those guys?

I can see it, actually: Iverson playing soccer in his prime.