Hello, Sunshine. I'm Alexi Wallace and welcome to the State of the Union Pot.

Where we look at the beautiful game on and off the field through the lens of red, white, and blue color glasses.

This week we'll be talking messy, obviously, gold cup, cocaine cowboys, Olympics,

MLS, Ted Lasso, potential US men's national team,

coaches, players, Val Kilmer, water skiing,

and so much more.

But first, joining me as always, my friend, my colleague,

my guiding light, David Massey, a soccer savant

and a fox soccer researcher and writer.

Extraordinare!

Maassey, how are you on this Monday, August 9th?

There's something for those that can't see different about you today, my friend.

Correct, I am coming to you from Fort Lauderdale, where I am vacationing with my parents who own an

apartment down here having a wonderful time today is actually the final day of

the vacation I fly back to Los Angeles tomorrow morning but it was terrific just what the doctor ordered

after our busy summer of soccer. Now knowing the the animal and the party animal

that you are is this I know we're not anywhere near spring break time but do you treat this as a type of

spring break type of release or you just kind of lay in low and and relaxing out

there with with your parents much more more laying low relaxing.

It's funny, Fort Lauderdale used to be this prime spring break destination.

Over the past 20 or 30 years, they've really changed the whole vibe of the city and made it a more sort of sophisticated mature kind of

city with this tracks international tourists and and the whole vibe has changed. They're really making a run

...