East Room
As Prepared for Delivery
SECOND GENTLEMAN DOUGLAS EMHOFF: Good morning, everyone.
On behalf of President Biden, the First Lady, and my wife, Vice President Harris: congratulations to the 2023 Major League Soccer Champions, Columbus Crew, and welcome to the White House.
To all the members of Congress and other distinguished guests: thank you for joining us and for the work you do every day. It's great to be with all of you.
As Second Gentleman, I've traveled to Columbus, Ohio a couple times. And one thing I learned during my travels is just how big of a sports town Columbus is - with loyal ride or die fans to the Crew.
I've always loved soccer. I grew up playing a lot of sports as a kid. And at my Jewish Summer camp, I was voted "Most Athletic."
Later on in life, I was a proud soccer dad for my kids.
First, I was their coach. Then, I became a referee. I had a lot of fun wearing that yellow outfit with the whistle, short shorts, and big socks. Though I think my kids didn't enjoy that part as much.
And these days, I'm still a massive fan who gets up early to watch the sport.
Last year, I led the Presidential Delegation to the Opening Ceremony of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. And just a couple months ago, I had the honor of representing the United States at the Closing Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where I watched the U.S. women's national Soccer team take home the gold.
Now, I get to join you all for today's celebration.
Columbus Crew is a team that exemplifies excellence.
Since 1996, you've won 9 major trophies.
During the 2023 regular season, you were the top-scoring team in MLS for the first time in the club's history.
In Round One of the playoffs, you beat Atlanta in three hard-fought games.
In the Conference Semis, you shut out Orlando on the road.
In the Conference Finals, you capped a legendary comeback against your Cincinnati rivals and came back from 2-0 down at the half to win 3-2 in extra time.
Before the Championship match, Coach Nancy, you shared an important lesson with your team. You reminded them that you have one virtue in life: courage.
"Without courage, you can't do anything."
Courage is exactly what you showed in that championship match. You played brave: taking risks, attacking early and often, and relying on each other.
And it paid off.
By the end of the game, you were champions once again, for your second MLS Cup in four years.
You're not only champions on the field. You're leaders off the field, too. Through the Columbus Crew's community efforts, you are:
Developing new fields for kids to play soccer;
Providing equipment to help more kids pick up the sport;
And combating chronic absenteeism in Ohio with the Stay in the Game initiative.
Through your work and dedication, you have made the Central Ohio community - and our entire nation - incredibly proud.
Part of why I love sports so much is that it unifies us.
As we all know, we have way more in common than what divides us. There is a lot of hate and division out there at this moment. But sports bring people - and our country - together.
That's what each of you do every day. You inspire people across our nation, and you lift them up with a sense of joy and community. You show them what true leadership looks like.
This is something Coach Nancy knows a thing or two about.
Right before the MLS Cup Final, Coach Nancy showed all of you pictures of yourselves as kids.
He reminded you - his team - to play with the same joy you did when you were young and helped to lighten the mood before a high-pressure match.
Coach - in only two seasons as head coach for the Crew, you are already making your mark. You are setting an example for coaches across our nation and around the world.
So, Columbus Crew, congratulations once again, on your championship. And good luck on the remainder of the 2024 season.
