The White House hosts a soccer clinic with local kids ahead of the MLS All-Star Game and Women’s World Cup as US First Lady Jill Biden continues efforts to “highlight how sports unite us.”
- Among the guests was former Liverpool and Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke, 32.
- MLS will hold its All-Star Game on Wednesday at Audi Field in Washington
- DailyMail.com provides the latest international sports news
Children dressed in jerseys from their favorite MLS teams joined first lady Jill Biden and players from FC Cincinnati, DC United, Chicago Fire and other teams at a youth soccer clinic on the South Lawn of the White House on an afternoon sweltering Monday.
They played casual games in the 92F (33.3 C) DC heat with MLS stars Christian Benteke, formerly of Crystal Palace and Liverpool; Lucho Acosta, USMNT defenseman Walker Zimmerman and Kei Kamara.
The White House announced the event as part of Biden’s ongoing effort to “highlight how sports unite us and support and empower young people.”
“Sports is the international language, from the thrill of the goal to the joy of victory,” Biden said during the event, standing on a podium alongside MLS commissioner Don Garber and Nevaeh Burroughs, a 16-year-old from DC Parks and Recreation Employee.
Before introducing the first lady, Burroughs said soccer taught her the importance of “dedication, hard work and commitment.”
US President Joe Biden greets MLS All-Star players on the South Lawn of the White House.
Former Liverpool and Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke (far right) also greeted President Biden
Tim Parker, Kei Kamara, Walker Zimmerman and Luciano Acosta standing with DC youth players
President Joe Biden greets MLS Commissioner Don Garber at the Jill Biden Youth Soccer Clinic
US First Lady Jill Biden watches as local children play on the South Lawn of the White House.
‘When we work as one to score that point, or cheer on our team, sports unite us across backgrounds and borders. There are no strangers in the stands or on the field,” Biden said.
Benteke, Acosta, Kamara and Zimmerman stayed on to answer questions from DC youth players.
President Joe Biden left the event late to chat with the professionals.
MLS will hold its All-Star Game on Wednesday at Audi Field in Washington.
DC United manager Wayne Rooney did not attend the White House event on Monday.
President Biden spoke with several MLS players ahead of the All-Star Game in DC on Wednesday
The clinic is part of the First Lady’s efforts to highlight how sports inspire the younger generation.
US First Lady Jill Biden watches a game while donning the league’s All-Star jersey.
Jill Biden had fun with the kids before the first USWNT World Cup game in four days
The Biden administration’s focus on soccer comes just in time before the start of the Women’s World Cup, which begins this week in Australia and New Zealand.
The United States women’s soccer team plays Vietnam in Auckland on Friday.
Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff will represent the White House from the stands, Jill Biden said.
Players from the women’s team visited the White House in March 2021 to discuss pay discrimination on ‘Equal Pay Day,’ after the team in 2019 sued the US Soccer Federation for pay discrimination. .
In 2022, a historic $24 million deal was signed, as well as a commitment to match salaries and bonuses to match the men’s team.
