Bipartisan boot: Lawmakers lace up for 12th annual congressional soccer match to help underserved children
Article excerpt
Republican and Democratic members of Congress set aside their political differences Wednesday night as they played in the 12th annual bipartisan congressional soccer match at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. The lawmakers joined soccer athletes in a friendly game to raise awareness of the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s programs, which are funded to help children in […]
Republican and Democratic members of Congress set aside their political differences Wednesday night as they played in the 12th annual bipartisan congressional soccer match at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.
The lawmakers joined soccer athletes in a friendly game to raise awareness of the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s programs, which are funded to help children in underserved communities.
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“The Congressional Soccer Match is a unique, bipartisan tradition bringing together members of Congress, staffers, soccer legends, community leaders, kids, and families to celebrate the transformative power of soccer in children’s lives both on and off the pitch,” the U.S. Soccer Foundation said in a press release.
Republican lawmakers who participated in this year’s match included: Reps. Darin LaHood (IL), Bryan Steil (WI), Dan Crenshaw (TX), Michael Baumgartner (WA), Mike Haridopolos (FL), Randy Feenstra (IA), Don Bacon (NE), and Richard McCormick (GA).
Democratic lawmakers who played in the game were: Reps. Greg Landsman (OH), James Walkinshaw (VA), Morgan McGarvey (KY), Pete Aguilar (CA), Rick Larsen (WA), Sean Casten (IL), Darren Soto (D-FL), Suhas Subramanyam (VA), Luz Rivas (CA), Dave Min (CA), and Sharice Davids (KS).
Two-time FIFA World Cup champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Carli Lloyd told the Washington Examiner the soccer game “has the ability to bring so many people together.”
“We all come from unique backgrounds, but at the end of the day, it’s this beautiful game that unites people,” Lloyd said. “[It’s] obviously a great cause with the U.S. Soccer Foundation, and they are helping to provide so many opportunities for kids.”
Lloyd said the soccer match creates a “common goal” between Republicans and Democrats, which is to “unite people” and “bring people in and around the game of soccer.”
“It’s fun,” she said. “I think everybody, once you step out on the field, no matter how old you are, it just brings a smile to everybody’s face, which is great.”
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Former American soccer player and Fox Sports analyst Alexi Lalas highlighted the significance of the foundation’s work and his support for the annual sporting event.
“The United States Soccer Foundation is a legacy of the 1994 World Cup,” Lalas told the Washington Examiner.
Two-time FIFA World Cup champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Carli Lloyd talks with the Washington Examiner. (Judith Y. Kim/Washington Examiner)
Former American soccer player and Fox Sports analyst Alexi Lalas speaks with the Washington Examiner at Audi Field. (Judith Y. Kim/Washington Examiner)
“I was running around in the ’94 World Cup, so I am also a product of that summer. Anything that gives back to the soccer community, and obviously … things that are going to help kids through soccer have a fun and safe experience in the game that I love, I’m going to be there. And I get to kick some politicians around, so that’s fun too,” he said.
Lalas, who is also a veteran coach and participant in the congressional match, said the event was “an opportunity to unite people” from both political parties.
“I think sports does that more than anything, you know. For example, the World Cup that’s coming this summer, I think that’s going to do it. And even a game of soccer here in D.C. brings people together from both sides. At the very least, for a couple hours, we can take our aggression out against each other, have a drink afterwards, have some fun, and then we can go back to fighting later on, but it’s a fun way to use the game to unite people, to bring people together, and to have a good night,” Lalas said.
Republicans won this year’s match 7-5, though Democrats hold a 7-5 advantage over Republicans in the series.
The annual match was originally hosted by Congressional Soccer Caucus co-chairs Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Rep. David Reichert (R-WA).
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The first game was held at Gallaudet University in 2013 and has since taken place at other locations over the years, including RFK Stadium, Gonzaga College High School, and, more recently, Audi Field.
All proceeds from the sporting event will go toward funding the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s programs.