The Colorado Rapids were honoured by Barack Obama at the White House on Monday to celebrate the team’s 2010 MLS Cup success.
The team, who share a strategic relationship with Arsenal, toured the White House, presented US President Obama with a team shirt and then ran a football clinic for children of military families.
Obama singled out several Rapids for their achievements on the pitch as well as in the community and also noted the differences between MLS players and their counterparts in other professional sports in the US.
“They may not be household names, but the great thing about sports is that in the end, that doesn’t really matter,” said the President. “What matters is how well a team can pull together when the chips are down, and that’s exactly what the Rapids did.
"This team had the second-worst record of any team in the playoffs last year, but they showed up in close games, they clawed back from behind, they just kept on winning and, when the clock ran out, the Rapids were the best team in American soccer.”
Rapids striker Conor Casey was one of the players congratulated by Obama. “An awesome day today,” said the striker. “When do you get a chance to come to the White House, meet the President, shake his hand and play a little soccer on the front lawn? It’s definitely a cool, cool day for everybody.”
Images courtesy of Jose Argueta / Major League Soccer
