From his inauguration in 2009 until his final days as the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama was always a passionate supporter of the world’s game while in office. He’s invited multiple MLS Cup champions to the White House, the USWNT and he shared a phone call with the USMNT after a successful World Cup.
Here are some of the best soccer-related photos of Obama during his time in the White House.
Barack Obama welcomed the 2008 MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew to the White House during his first year in office.
The 2009 champions, Real Salt Lake, presented Obama with his own custom RSL jersey.
Barack Obama received the 2010 MLS Cup champion Colorado Rapids.
The LA Galaxy won back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012. Here's Obama with David Beckham.
Sporting Kansas City visited the White House after their 2013 triumph.
In 2014, Obama spoke with USMNT members Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey after their World Cup run.
The LA Galaxy visited again in 2014, and Obama singled out Robbie Rogers for "blazing a trail as one of professional sports' first openly gay players."
Barack Obama and Gyasi Zardes share a joke while Alan Gordon looks on.
The USWNT visited the White House after winning the 2015 World Cup. “This team taught all of America’s children that ‘playing like a girl’ means you’re a badass," said Obama.