The U.S. men’s national soccer team had plenty of people around the United States celebrating their 1-0 win over Iran, a result that sent them through to the World Cup’s Round of 16.
Among those USMNT fans? President Joe Biden.
Speaking in Michigan at an event themed around his administration’s economic initiatives, Biden was seemingly done with his planned remarks only to return to the podium, excitedly announcing the game’s outcome to the room.
“USA! USA!,” said Biden as the event’s audience joined him in the familiar chant. “That’s a big game, man!”
Biden continued that he told the USMNT that he believed they could get the win they needed to advance, though he also seemed to indicate that the team didn’t react to his pep talk with major enthusiasm.
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“When I spoke to the coach and the players, I said ‘You can do this!’ and they went ‘oh, they’re gonna…’ They did it!” exclaimed Biden. “God love ’em! Anyway, just thought you might want to hear.”
Biden didn’t take questions on the game, so we’ll never find out how he felt about Gregg Berhalter shifting to a 5-4-1 formation, or whether his administration has a position on Gio Reyna’s playing time. Perhaps those questions are best left for the run-up to Saturday’s knockout round match against the Netherlands.
