National News

Obama congratulates US team

2010-06-25 08:23
Email | Print
Read more on:   
Related Links

Washington - US President Barack Obama told America's World Cup heroes on Thursday that the West Wing of the White House erupted in cheers when Landon Donovan scored the dramatic winning goal against Algeria.

Obama called the jubilant United States team as they prepared for their round-of-16 knockout clash with Ghana on Saturday.

The president told the team that he was in a high-stakes meeting with new Afghan war commander General David Petraeus in the Oval Office when the injury time winner went in, and could "hear the rest of the West Wing erupt".

"The president then congratulated Donovan on the game-winning goal, asked Tim Howard how his ribs were feeling and asked Clint Dempsey how his lip was doing," Obama's spokesperson Robert Gibbs said.

Cheering them on

"The president wished the team good luck on Saturday and made sure they knew that the entire country was cheering them on."

The Americans beat Algeria 1-0 on Wednesday, and will face Ghana in the round-of-16 match in Rustenburg on Saturday and are now eyeing a deep run in the tournament.

Some members of the US team stopped at the White House before travelling to South Africa and are not lacking for presidential support in a campaign that has attracted rare public fervour back home.

Former president Bill Clinton watched their triumph over Algeria, and Vice President Joe Biden also travelled to South Africa, to watch them play England, a match that ended in a 1-1 draw.

Follow Sport24 on Twitter and Facebook

 

Comment on this story
0 comments
Add your comment
avatar
Logout
Comment 0 characters remaining
Live Video Streaming
Show full schedule
Video Highlights
Show more videos
Sport Talk
  • Cheering for the underdogs
    So, after weeks of football we’re down to just two teams – Ivory Coast and Zambia – who will...
    • Breaking News

    Updated: Hottest SWC WAGs

    Updated: Hottest SWC 2010 WAGs

    Daily SWC Galleries

    Latest World Cup action with our daily galleries.

    Logs
    P W PTS
    P W PTS
    P W PTS
    P W PTS
    P W PTS
    P W PTS
    P W PTS
    P W PTS
    Previous Results

    Date Home Team Result Away Team
    Vote

    World Cup 2010 is over and the country is returning to normal - but have you moved on yet?

    Twitter Follow Sport24 on Twitter

    Newsletters Sign up for Sport24's Morning Glory newsletter

    Blogs Yes your opinion counts. Get it out there

    WIN Enter and win with Sport24!

    Mobile Sport24 on your mobile phone - WAP, alerts, downloads, services

    BlackBerry Stay in the loop on your BlackBerry

    iPhone Latest Sport24 news on your iPhone

    Facebook "Like" Sport24's Facebook page

    TV schedule Plan your couch time with our searchable sport TV guide

    RSS Feeds Sport news delivered really simply.

     
    There are new stories on the homepage. Click here to see them.