Championship US Soccer Team Honored at Disneyland
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After the parade, a ceremony was held at Sleeping Beauty Castle in honor of the World Cup Champions. Walt Disney Attractions President, Paul Pressler, then gave a few remarks in honor of this "team of true champions.”

"This wonderful team of athletes has become a great inspiration for Americans young and old,” stated Paul. "As we cheered and watched them strive to reach their goal, we felt our human spirit rise."

"Walt Disney knew the importance and the value of teamwork. He once said, 'Every man is captain of his career. And there must be cooperation all around if he is to get what he wants out of life.' There is no better time to begin learning this lesson then when we are young. I think there is no better means of teaching it than through sports. Today Walt would be smiling; this team of young women have truly mastered that lesson.”

With the crowd cheering U-S-A, U-S-A, each team member was introduced. Mickey and Minnie were there to greet each player with a hug and a kiss.

Paul then presented the team with a crystal castle as a token of Disneyland's appreciation for "the inspiration that you have provided to us and to all of your fans around the world.”

Finally, "Go The Distance” from the feature animated movie Hercules was sung, with the appropriate gender pronouns changed, by a performer from the Animazement stage show.

  

-- Story by John Frost
-- Photographs by Doobie Moseley