Why this Trump-voting Texas billionaire would rather invest in the A-League than US soccer

For some strange reason, A-League expansion teams generally always start well. That should be the case with Auckland FC, for whom Foley has spared no expense. They have appointed two-time title winner Steve Corica as coach, and assembled a squad that should be competing at the top end, headlined by decorated former Japanese international Hiroki Sakai, Alex Paulsen, who was arguably the best goalkeeper in the competition last season, and Jake Brimmer, the 2021-22 Johnny Warren Medallist.Their entry heralds a potential golden age for New Zealand soccer. Along with the Wellington Phoenix, they now have two professional teams, and the All Whites should be at every World Cup for the foreseeable future, since FIFA has given Oceania a direct qualification slot as part of the tournament’s expansion to 48 teams. Where once Kiwi involvement was deemed to be a drag on the A-League’s metrics, all of a sudden they could be giving them a major boost. If their average crowds match the buzz…