Despite their third consecutive loss to D.C. United on Saturday, Houston Dynamo's stay in Washington will not be completely disappointing.
The defending MLS Cup champions spent part of the day Tuesday at the White House and meeting President George W. Bush.
"It's an awesome honor," said defender Craig Waibel. "Growing up you see teams go to the White House and you never think for any reason you are going to be honored at the White House by the President. It's just an unbelievable and humbling honor that we have, and we are so gracious to represent not only our club, but the league and the city because it's a wonderful city."
Dynamo will display the MLS Cup in the East Wing, and team members will present President Bush with mementos from the 2006 championship season.
"We're very honored to be invited to the White House" said Dynamo captain Wade Barrett. "It was a fantastic achievement for us last year, and another in the latest of championships in the state of Texas. We're glad to represent that with the President."
This will not be the first honor bestowed upon the Orange, who were honored in Austin earlier this season by the Governor of Texas.
"It's excellent. It's an honor," said head coach Dominic Kinnear. "The invitation is there for all sports teams and for us to be able to work our schedule around going there and being honored by the President, it's amazing. Anytime you have a chance to be honored by any dignitary ... we went up to the capitol in Austin probably about a month and a half back, and that was a great day. It's a reflection of our play last year and another reward to being the champions. I think it's a great opportunity for us."
To be the second MLS team to meet the Commander-in-Chief and to be so recognized is what honors many with Dynamo.
"It's awesome. I like to be the first to a lot of things," Waibel said. "I like to hold awards and accolades that a lot of people don't. Right now I think there are us and three or four other teams with championships in the league and there's us and like a handful of other people in the league who have gotten to meet the President. It's an awesome honor and I hope others have the chance to do it someday."
Jeremy Rakes is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
