The First Soccer Mom welcomes superstar & junior players for South Lawn drills...Close to fifty kids joined First Lady Michelle Obama and the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team on the South Lawn on Thursday afternoon for a Let's Move! clinic. Team members on hand for the special event included star forward Alex Morgan, Nicole Barnhart, Rachel Buehler, Lori Lindsey, Kelley O’Hara and Becky Sauerbrunn, all of whom played in this summer's FIFA World Cup Final in Frankfurt, Germany. (Above: Mrs. Obama and her guests during the drills)
Clad in brown slacks, a t-shirt, and tennis shoes, Mrs. Obama made brief remarks and hailed the team as “some of the best soccer players in the entire world."
In July, the First Family watched on television in the Treaty Room of the White House as the US women suffered a heartbreaking loss to Japan in the FIFA finals, Mrs. Obama said.
“We are proud of their accomplishment this summer,” Mrs. Obama said.
The kids, ages 8-14, were from Soccer Sisters United in Philadelphia and Prince William Courage Soccer Club in Woodbridge, Va. Mrs. Obama urged them to keep active, and pointed out that being fit helps with academic achievement.“You don’t have to become a superstar athlete to enjoy sports and to move,” Mrs. Obama said.
The First Lady joined the team in drilling with the kids under a bright, perfect sky, running after balls. First Dog Bo made a special appearance at the end of the clinic, and greeted the excited kids as Mrs. Obama held him on a leash. He also ran around the South Lawn with a soccer ball in his mouth, playing with one of Mrs. Obama's aides. (Above: Bo in action)
The US Women took a tour of the East Wing during their White House visit, according to Alex Morgan, who tweeted a photo of herself and her teammates in action.
"Long but fun day, and a great way to end it by touring the west wing. #LetsMove #fb" Morgan tweeted iht a link to the photo, above.Related White House soccer moments: Mrs. Obama had a confab with soccer superstar David Beckham at the Return State Dinner that she and the President hosted in London for Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in June. Later the same month, Mrs. Obama did push-ups with Archbishop Desmond Tutu during a soccer clinic in Cape Town, South Africa. In 2010, the President made a major beer bet with UK Prime Minister David Cameron when the US Men took on England at the World Cup. The game ended in a draw.
*AP photos, except for photo by Alex Morgan