Obama Calls Team USA to Congratulate

As well as former President Clinton’s support at the match, another President of the once soccer-hesitant nation has been following the side in South Africa. Current President Barack Obama is already known for being a soccer fan and today called the team and addressed the players and staff via speakerphone,  one day after the Landon Donovan’s goal sealed the 1-0 victory against Algeria that sent the USA to the Round of 16 at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Donovan himself was a guest on MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow Show last night and cult comedy shows the Daily Show and the Colbert Report have been giving widespread coverage to the World Cup. On the Republican side, former Congressman and TV host Joe Scarborough is known to be a fan of the tournament too.

Obama’s call came after the meal at the team hotel. U.S. head coach Bob Bradley first thanked the President for taking the time to address the team.

According to the USSF press release:

“The President then congratulated the players on the amazing team spirit they showed during the unbeaten run through the first round of the World Cup and told them that while he was meeting with General Petraeus in the Oval Office, he could hear the rest of the West Wing erupt when Landon Donovan scored the game-winner.

The President then congratulated Donovan on the game-winning goal, asked Tim Howard how his ribs were feeling and asked Clint Dempsey how his lip was doing. The President wished the team good luck on Saturday and made sure they knew that the entire country was cheering them on.

“It was certainly an honor to have President Obama take the time to speak to our team,” said Bradley.  “We are immensely proud of the opportunity to represent the United States, and to have the President reinforce that feeling is something we greatly appreciate. The support we have received from the U.S. fans that have traveled to South Africa as well as everyone following back home has been very gratifying and is a source of inspiration for our players. That is something we will carry with us when we step on the field this weekend.”

Times have certainly changed for soccer in this country.