As they did before last week’s World Cup soccer match, the Nationals racing presidents acted out Tuesday’s upcoming match between Team USA and Belgium on Monday night at Nationals Park.
And this time, the crowd really got into it.
George Washington and Abe Lincoln represented Team USA on Monday, wearing their home white uniforms. They got off to a rough start, as “Honest” Abe had trouble handling the ball and tripped on the outfield warning track.
But Belgian defenders Thomas Jefferson and William Howard Taft (wearing red uniforms) weren’t able to capitalize. George held them up then broke away as Lincoln recovered and pushed the ball past them.
Washington took Abe’s pass and advanced the ball towards goalie Teddy Roosevelt (who was wearing his Hawaiian shirt). The Rough Rider managed to stuff Washington’s shot, but the Founding Father recovered the ball, put a fake on Teddy, and sent the goalie flying to his left as he passed to the charging Lincoln.
The Great Emancipator finished the job, then joined Washington in leading the Nationals Park crowd in a rawcous chant of “USA! USA!”
Here’s the finish line video:
And here’s the official full call of the race by P.A. announcer Jerome Hruska:
LET TEDDY WIN 