White House hosts soccer clinic with local children ahead of MLS All-Star game and Women’s World Cup as US First Lady Jill Biden continues efforts to ‘highlight how sports unite us’

Children donning jerseys of their favorite MLS teams joined first lady Jill Biden and players from FC Cincinnati, DC United, Chicago Fire and other teams for a youth soccer clinic on White House South Lawn on a sweltering afternoon on Monday.

They played pickup games in the 92F (33.3 C) D.C. heat with MLS all-stars Christian Benteke, formerly of Crystal Palace and Liverpool; Lucho Acosta, USMNT defender Walker Zimmerman, and Kei Kamara. 

The White House billed the event as part of Biden’s continued effort to ‘highlight how sports unites us, and supports and empowers young people.’

‘Sport is the international language, from the thrill of the goal to the joy of the win,’ Biden said during the event, standing at a podium next to MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Nevaeh Burroughs, a 16-year-old D.C. 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 greeted MLS All-Star players on the South Lawn of the White House

Ex-Liverpool & Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke (far right)  greeted President Biden too 

Tim Parker, Kei Kamara, Walker Zimmerman and Luciano Acosta stand with DC youth players

President Joe Biden greets MLS Commissioner Don Garber at Jill Biden’s 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 around to answer questions from DC youth players. 

President Joe Biden came out late in the event to chat with the pros. 

MLS is holding its All-Star Game on Wednesday at Washington’s Audi Field. 

D.C. United manager Wayne Rooney was not in attendance at the White House’s event on Monday.

President Biden spoke with several MLS players ahead of the All-Star game in DC, Wednesday

The clinic is part of the First Lady’s efforts to highlight how sports inspire younger generations

US first lady Jill Biden watches on a scrimmage while donning the league’s All-Star jersey

Jill Biden had a kick about with children prior to the USWNT’s first World Cup game in four days

The Biden administration’s focus on soccer comes just in time prior to the start of the Women’s World Cup, which begins this week in Australia and New Zealand.

The U.S. women’s national soccer team plays Friday against Vietnam in Auckland.

Second gentleman Douglas Emhoff will represent the White House from the stands, Jill Biden said.

Women’s team players visited the White House in March 2021 to discuss pay discrimination on ‘Equal Pay Day’ – after the team in 2019 sued the U.S. Soccer Federation over wage discrimination. 

In 2022 a historic $24million settlement was signed, as well as a commitment to equalize pay and bonuses to match the men´s team.