The Rapids were measured and fitted for matching gray pinstriped suits and custom-made ties in team colors.
And today, they made a visit to the White House, where, as midfielder Pablo Mastroeni predicted, the team presented President Barack Obama with “a cheesy jersey” in the manner of other champions honored there.
The team presented Obama with a jersey with the number 10, the number usually worn by a soccer team’s leader.
“That’s a good looking jersey,” Obama said.
The Rapids won their first MLS cup in November, defeating FC Dallas.
The MLS champions played Sunday at Columbus, Ohio, and flew to Washington this morning for the ceremony.
Obama noted that the Rapids had the second-worst record of any team in the playoffs, “clawed back from behind” and kept winning. He called the team a “mini United Nations,” noting that players hailed from countries such as Argentina, France, Ireland, Japan and Senegal.
“This is also a team that makes due without the high salaries and perks that some other professional sports teams enjoy,” Obama said. “Players can sometimes actually be seen eating at local restaurants together after practice. A few guys chipped in to buy a fishing boat that they keep hidden in the stadium parking lot.”
Obama also praised the players for their willingness to do charity work off the field.
The Rapids also held a soccer clinic for children of military families on the South Lawn.
“Having been naturalized in 2001, and being a citizen and participating in the World Cup representing the United States has been the biggest honor for me,” Mastroeni, who was born in Argentina, said in an earlier interview. “Every time I wear the national team jersey, it probably means more to me than a lot of people, having realized the opportunities this country has given me. Going to see the White House and spending time with the most powerful man on the planet definitely will be something I’ll cherish.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
