While he mentioned leading lights Robbie Keane, David Beckham and Landon Donovan, the nation’s Chief Executive also hailed LA’s important role players like Omar Gonzalez and A.J. DeLaGarza.

“The big names came through in the clutch, but they didn’t do it alone," President Obama said. "For a group with so much firepower, this team shone on defense, recording 17 shutouts. Together you pulled off one of the toughest feats in team sports: you lived up to the hype. You combined star power, hard work and it paid off.”