CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy and Barack Obama have gotten mighty familiar during President’s tenure in office, but that doesn’t mean that the honor will be any less special when the team visits the White House on Monday along with the reigning Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings.
By the time Monday rolls around, the Galaxy will have been honored a whopping three times by the nation’s 44th President which ties them with Major League Baseball’s San Francisco Giants for the most White House trips by a American professional sports team during the Obama Presidency.
“He’s been great for us,” defender Todd Dunivant who is one of six players to attend all three trips to the White House. “We go way back with the President now.
“It doesn’t get old though. It’s such an honor. It’s just incredible. You can ask anyone in the league and they’d say that they’d want to go on this trip.
As was the case in 2013, the Galaxy will once again be honored alongside the Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings who are also owned by parent company Anschutz Entertainment Group. While other teams have their own time with the President, the Galaxy believe that the chance to share the stage with their fellow champions from Los Angeles is a real distinction.
“It’s a real honor to do that. It’s a real positive for the Galaxy as it is for the Kings and AEG as well,” said Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena. “We’re honored to be there with the Kings, no question about it. I think that it’s great for the two teams can celebrate together at the White House.
The timing works particularly well as the Galaxy will have the chance to visit Washington, D.C. during preseason rather than take time off during their grueling league slate to make a taxing cross-country flight.
“It’s always nice to get it over with during preseason because any later and it can be a distraction,” Arena said. “It’s good to get it over with to be honest with you.
“You have to make this trip and some point and it’s an honor and a privilege for us,” said Dunivant. “To go in the preseason is nice because you don’t have to do it during the year and have that distraction. To get it out of the way is nice and hopefully we can get some good training in while we’re there. It’ll be good. It’s another step forward for us and we’re looking forward to it.”
But while the trip may be old hat for some players, others could not contain their excitement. Like 18-year-old player Bradford Jamieson IV who was not even eligible to vote during the last presidential election.
“I’m so excited to see the president. I have no idea. I just don’t know what to say really,” Jamieson exclaimed. “Going to the White House is such an honor. It’s amazing and once in a life time –unless of course we win again.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
