![A large group of players from the 2023 Congressional Soccer Match pose together on the field, smiling and gathered around a trophy. One team wears blue jerseys and the other wears red jerseys. The photo is taken in a stadium at night, with "UNITED" visible in the stands behind them.](https://ussoccerfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/congressional_soccer_match_116-1-1000x664.jpg")
The day began with the Embassy Tournament where Denmark was crowned the winner followed by a Staffer vs. Lobbyist Match. AOC was in the crowd to cheer on her office. Ultimately, the Lobbyists prevailed.
Then, for the main event, the energy remained high as the Republicans reclaimed the title in the 9th iteration of the event.
We were joined this year by the Cooligans’ Christian Polanco and Apple TV’s Jillian Sakovits who served as emcees and commentators for the night.
Despite the competition on the field, by the end of the night everyone was ultimately on the same team and came together to support the Foundation’s programs and using soccer as a vehicle for social change in communities across the country.
Punchbowl News’ Max Cohen (a media partner of the event) captured a moment at the end of the Match that went viral when Rep. Crenshaw threw his glass eye in the trophy. See it for yourself below.
A viral moment from the 2023 Congressional Soccer Match.
![Two players competing for the ball during the Congressional Soccer Match 2023. A woman in a blue jersey controls the ball while a man in a red jersey approaches to challenge her. In the background, another player in a red jersey is visible. They are playing on a grass field with stadium seating blurred behind them.](https://ussoccerfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/congressional_soccer_match_107-1-1000x665.jpg")
![Two smiling event hosts stand on a soccer field holding microphones, with stadium seating in the background reading "D.C. UNITED." The man wears a blue US Soccer Foundation polo shirt, and the woman wears a light-colored romper. Players and officials can be seen behind them.](https://ussoccerfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/congressional_soccer_match_063-1000x667.jpg")
![Large group photo at the 2023 Congressional Soccer Match. Players in red, blue, and yellow jerseys pose together on the soccer field inside a stadium. In the background, stadium seating and a large US Soccer Foundation banner are visible.](https://ussoccerfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/congressional_soccer_match_087-1-1000x667.jpg")
