WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Houston Dynamo, two-time defending MLS Cup champions, visited the White House Thursday to be congratulated by President George W. Bush for their back-to-back MLS Cup championships.

MLS / Jose Argueta

President Bush with the Houston Dynamo in the Rose Garden.

Wednesday’s match against D.C. United was postponed, but the Dynamo continued their trip with a morning tour of the White House, then met with President Bush and posed for a team picture in the Rose Garden. Mr. Bush then brought the entire roster into the Oval Office and took individual pictures with each player, a rare opportunity for the two-time defending champions.

“It was quite an experience,” defender Patrick Ianni said. “It’s always an honor to be able to go and check out the rich history here. It’s a great experience I’ll remember for a lifetime.”

The visit honored the team’s 2007 MLS Cup championship, won in Washington, D.C. November last November with a 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution. With Thursday’s visit, the Dynamo become the first MLS squad to make consecutive visits to the White House.

To celebrate the team’s trip and its two consecutive championships, the first 7,500 fans in attendance for the next home game against Toronto FC will receive a specially designed Dynamo championship lapel pin like those worn by the team on its White House visit.

That game is scheduled for Sunday, June 8 at 7:30 p.m.