Soccer fans across the U.S. celebrated on Tuesday when the final whistle blew in the United States men’s national team’s 1-0 victory over Iran, clinching the team’s spot in the knockout stage.
Among those who rejoiced once the win was official? President Joe Biden.
Biden had just finished a speech at a semiconductor chip manufacturer in Michigan to address moving more supply chains to the U.S. when he learned of the national team’s victory. As attendees at the event milled about, Biden returned to the microphone to announce to the room that the team had won.
The announcement drew a loud ovation from the room. Biden had previously called the team to wish them well before the tournament began, and was certainly elated to see the U.S. advance past the group stage for the first time since 2014.
“You guys, I know you’re the underdog. But I’ll tell you what, man, you got some of the best players in the world on your team and you’re representing this country, and I know you’re gonna play your hearts out,” Biden said in his pre-World Cup call. “So let’s go shock ’em all.”
