Can you imagine if Rinaldo and Messie declined to participate in the World Cup,

we'd be camped out on their doorsteps until we got some clarity.

But this World Cup will go on without Hagiburg.

And I think she'll regret not being here.

Maybe not now, but later.

She may never get another chance.

Sometimes the best way to effect change is actually from the belly of the beast.

Hello, Sunshine, I'm Alexi Lollis and welcome for the State of the Union Podcast.

We look at the beautiful game on and off the field through the lens of red white and blue colored glasses.

This is a special episode coming to you from Paris, France,

and the Women's World Cup. Joining me my friend, my colleague, my guiding light

David Mossy, a soccer savant and a Fox soccer researcher and writer extraordinaire, Monsieur Mossy.

What a levoo?

Bonjure or as Rob Stone would say,

Bonjure!

Well, we talked about it, we planned for it, we dreamed of it, and here it is. It is upon us.

We are recording this on the eve of the first game and the Women's World Cup

kicks off with France versus South Korea. How has your stay been so far? We've been here about a week.

I've been to Paris before. I already thought it was the most amazing city in the world

and the past five, six days have only reaffirmed that. It's been incredible.

Despite being very busy preparing for the tournament, I've actually found time to do a lot of things.

I've gone to the top of the Eiffel Tower, the top of the Arc de Trience.

...