(9 May 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Washington – 8 May 2024
1. Close of a sign reading (English) "2024 Congressional Soccer Match"
2. Members of the Republican and Democratic teams applaud at the end of the national anthem
3. Various of players warming up with U.S. Soccer Foundation sign in background
++SOUNDBITE PARTIALLY COVERED++
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Darin LaHood, (R) Illinois, Congressional Soccer Caucus Co-Chair:
"No it’s a great opportunity for Republicans and Democrats to come together for — It’s a great cause. We raise money for youth soccer… Obviously, the US Soccer Foundation does a tremendous job of putting this on. But it’s a great event to come out to. Soccer is the number one growing sport in the United States right now and we’ve got COPA coming this summer. We’ve got the World Cup coming in 2026."
5. Mid of A. J. DeLaGarza walking on the sideline
++SOUNDBITE PARTIALLY COVERED++
6. SOUNDBITE (English) A. J. DeLaGarza, professional soccer player:
"I’m a realist. And in reality, we still have some work to do, but we’re not there yet on that global level. Our stadiums are not the size of NFL stadiums. But at the same time, since when I joined the league in 2009 to now, it’s a huge, huge difference."
7. Various of Republican Rep. Rich McCormick and Democratic Rep. Greg Casar vying for control of the ball
++SOUNDBITE PARTIALLY COVERED++
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Darin LaHood, (R) Illinois, Congressional Soccer Caucus Co-Chair:
Reporter: "What about red cards, yellow cards? Do you think it will be a little feisty out there?
LaHood: "You’ve got to bring your game today. You have to have your shin guards on and your shoes laced up."
Reporter: "So tell me, do you think its harder to pass a bill? Or pass the ball?"
LaHood: "It’s much easier to pass the ball than pass a bill. Particularly with this Congress, yeah, with a two-seat majority."
9. Various the Republican team scoring their fourth goal of the match
10. Close of scoreboard reading Democrats 2, Republicans 4
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Darin LaHood, (R) Illinois, Congressional Soccer Caucus Co-Chair:
Reporter: "Do you guys think you’ll take down the win?"
LaHood: "Absolutely. We’re going to do it. We’re defending champs and we’re going to do it again tonight."
12. Mid of Republican lawmakers posing with the trophy and their coach Alexi Lalas
STORYLINE:
Democrats and Republicans from Congress teamed up with professional footballers to raise money for youth soccer programs during the tenth edition of the Congressional Soccer match.
The game of red versus blue was the headline act for the U.S. Soccer Federation event at Audi Field in the nation’s capitol Wednesday.
Rep. Darin LaHood, a Republican lawmaker from Illinois who also co-chairs the Congressional Soccer Caucus, said the organization helps build soccer pitches in underserved communities throughout the country to make the sport more accessible to young players.
"Soccer is the number one growing sport in the United States right now," said LaHood. "We’ve got COPA coming this summer. We’ve got the World Cup coming in 2026."
Adolph Joseph DeLaGarza, who played 14 years in Major League Soccer, participated on the Republican squad and shared a more realistic outlook on the growth of the sport he loves.
"We’re not there yet on that global level. Our stadiums are not the size of NFL stadiums. But at the same time, when I joined the league in 2009 to now, it’s a huge difference," DeLaGarza told the AP.
A team of lobbyists also defended their title in a rematch against Congressional staff.
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