Pre-Red Card Debacle: Abby & Julie Foudy Soccersplain the World Cup

Summary

Podcast Summary: We Can Do Hard Things

Episode: “Pre-Red Card Debacle: Abby & Julie Foudy Soccersplain the World Cup”

Podcast Hosts: Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach, Amanda Doyle
Guests: Julie Foudy
Original Air Date: July 7, 2026

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Episode Overview

This lively, insightful, and joyfully chaotic episode is a “starter pack” and warm invitation into the world of the Men’s World Cup, designed for both soccer enthusiasts and the “World Cup curious.” Glennon Doyle, Amanda Doyle, Abby Wambach, and Julie Foudy dive into the reasons everyone is talking about “the soccer,” breaking down what makes the World Cup so culturally unifying, emotionally intense, and—at times—downright hilarious.
The episode mixes “Soccer 101,” deep dives into community and hope, reflections on gender dynamics in sport, and playful games (“Is it Queer or FIFA?”). The Pod Squad brings soccer’s global party vibes to the everyday, with both earnest learning moments and classic GDA banter.

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Main Themes & Key Discussion Points

1. Why Is The World Cup Such a Big Deal?

Timestamp: 02:45–18:19

• Everyone’s Talking About It: Soccer (“the soccer!” per Glennon) dominates public spaces, screens, and household conversations globally every four years.
• A Global Family Reunion: Viewers, even those who aren’t “sporty,” sense a festive, collective atmosphere. Glennon likens it to:

  “Dear Government: We’ve been having so much fun… can the World Cup sleep over next summer, too?” (04:13–04:29)

• Hope & Unity: Julie says,

  “I finally feel hopeful about this country for the first time in a very long time. I can put on a USA jersey and feel good about it.” (04:59)

• National Pride and Healing: Abby discusses rooting for the US team as a way to “cheer for the version of this country I want it to become.” (09:59–10:24)
• Visuals Matter: The sight of diverse crowds— “babies in little earphones… all the love and hope on their faces”— serves as lived proof against propaganda of fear and division. (07:05–08:00)

2. The World Cup Format—How Does It Work?

Timestamp: 33:13–36:20

• Group Stages & Knockout Rounds: Julie and Abby explain how 48 teams are divided into 12 groups, and how the top teams advance to Round of 32, then 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals.

  “Everybody…gets at least three games… then every game after that is a knockout round: win or go home. High stakes.” (35:41–36:20)

3. The Emotional Ties & Cultural Rituals

Timestamp: 15:16–19:23

• Generational Loyalty: Abby and Julie explain how, for many countries, “football” is not just a sport but a passage, “the religion… their church.” (16:53–17:48)
• Underdog Stories and Small Nations: The thrill of teams like Cape Verde, whose population is only the size of two stadiums, winning on a global stage. (16:19–16:53)
• The Shared Ritual: Watching sports together is comforting for introverts and extroverts alike— “Introverts unite…but separately, and at home.” (23:28–24:01)

4. Gender, Equality, and Pay

Timestamp: 11:27–13:20

• Equal Pay Deal: Abby explains the new US Soccer deal: prize money from FIFA is split 50/50 between the men’s and women’s teams, so success at the Men’s World Cup directly benefits the women’s team.

  “If you’re struggling to figure out whether or not you can cheer for our men’s team, you in fact are cheering for our women’s team.” (13:10–13:20)

• The Purse Gap: Amanda highlights that women's FIFA prize pools are “so much smaller than the men’s game,” though that’s set to change by 2031. (12:43–13:09)

5. Soccer “Rules and Mysteries”

Timestamp: 24:26–32:13

• Offside Rule: Glennon’s delightful non-explanation:

  “It can’t be understood… It’s a matter of spiritual surrender. No goal, no further questions.” (24:29–25:24)

• Yellow Cards, Red Cards, and ‘Green Card’ Wishful Thinking:
  • Yellow = warning, red = ejection. Glennon invents a “green card” for good behavior. (25:36–25:58)
• Flopping & Gender Commentary:

  “There’s a deeper level of triggering when you’re a woman watching men flop all over the place… The men are allowed to flop around and flail and be so emotional… if the women raise an eyebrow everyone says they’re too emotional.” (28:49–29:24)

• Updated Flopping Rule: Now, non-injured “floppers” have to leave the field for a minute—like a hockey penalty box—so their team plays shorthanded temporarily. (27:30–28:18)
• Praise for Referees:

  “Their nervous systems should be studied. They should teach parenting classes.” (30:53–31:46)

6. Wholesome & Memorable Moments

Timestamp: 43:13–46:04

• Alex Freeman on Juneteenth:

  “Alex Freeman scored a goal on June 19 for the U.S. against Australia in a World Cup. Do you understand what the history of the name Freeman is as it relates to Juneteenth?” (43:24–45:55)

• Birthright Citizenship & Team USA: Celebrating dual national players, specifically Flo Baligan, whose eligibility comes from being born in NYC to Nigerian parents on vacation, thanks to American birthright citizenship—recently upheld by the Supreme Court. (46:04–47:18)

7. The “Is it Queer or FIFA?” Game

Timestamp: 49:48–55:37

• Playful Segment: Abby and Julie quiz Glennon and Amanda on whether certain scenarios (“Official sponsor: Tesla or Subaru?”) are “Queer” (code for LGBTQ+ culture) or “FIFA” (the global soccer bureaucracy). Lively, clever answers, e.g.:

  “Enough bathrooms for women—queer. Multiple private suites—FIFA.” (51:19–51:49) “VAR: Is it called 'Are We Sure Babe?' Definitely queer.” (54:16–54:34)

8. World Cup = Inherently Gay?

Timestamp: 55:39–57:54

• Reasons the Men’s World Cup is “Gay”:
  • Butt slaps, frequent hugging, emotional outbursts, fantasy leagues, buying each other’s jerseys, over-the-top grooming, and “the collection of cards.”
  • Glennon:

    “It certainly makes me upset when I think about all the guys who get so mad about Swifties… These men…go lose their damn minds over the men on the field.” (56:36–56:55)

9. Calls for Gender Visibility & Support

Timestamp: 60:22–66:45

• Women Supporting Men’s Team: Glennon asks if women’s team support for the men will be reciprocated in next year’s Women’s World Cup—and why women players aren’t being shown on TV at men’s games.
• Highlighting Missed Opportunities:

  “Why aren’t they showing all the women players who have shown up to these games? It could be such a beautiful, galvanizing situation.” (63:12–66:18)

• Hope for Mutual Support:

  “Women of excellence cheering on men of excellence and vice versa would be a really healing situation.” (66:39–66:45)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with timestamps)

• Glennon, on soccer’s vibe:

  “Our house has been invaded… every day, every morning. Tonight, the soccer. We eat the soccer. We breathe the soccer. We are living the soccer.” (01:04–01:22)

• Julie, on World Cup as hope:

  “I actually can put on a USA jersey and feel good about it. I haven’t felt that way in a very long time.” (04:59)

• Abby, on cheering for America:

  “When I wear the red, white, and blue… I am cheering for the version of this country that I believe to be true and the version… I want this country to become.” (10:24)

• Amanda, on being “World Cup curious”:

  “I don’t know anything about the players or the teams or the anything, but I can sense something a stir. It’s like there’s something more fun in the air.” (03:59)

• Abby, on why to watch:

  “The further along this men's team goes in this tournament, every round you go into, more money gets put into that prize pool… split 50/50 with the women.” (12:01)

• Glennon, on soccer’s philosophy:

  “Offside can’t be understood… It’s a matter of spiritual surrender.” (24:29–25:24)

• On flopping:

  “Women soccer players do not flop… The men are allowed to flop around and flail and be so emotional… if the women raise an eyebrow, everyone says they’re too emotional.” (28:49–29:24)

• Julie, on the referee’s fortitude:

  “They should have their nervous systems studied. They should teach parenting classes.” (31:46–32:04)

• Alex Freeman’s Juneteenth Goal (Abby & Amanda):

  “To score on June 19th… with the last name Freeman… that’s amazing.” (43:24–45:55)

• Amanda, on national identity:

  “This is how we want the world to document us. This is us, representing ourselves as opposed to the media representing us.” (49:26–49:48)

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Episode Structure & Timestamps

| Segment | Topic | Start – End | |---|---|---| | Opening | Welcoming listeners, setting up soccer episode | 00:00–03:14 | | Why the World Cup matters | Vibes, unity, beginner’s curiosity | 03:14–08:16 | | What it means to wear the jersey | National identity, vulnerability | 08:16–13:56 | | How prize money works | Equal pay, split pool explained | 11:27–13:56 | | Why people travel to the World Cup | Pilgrimage, cultural reverence | 14:20–18:19 | | Underdogs and small nations | Cape Verde, sporting miracles | 16:15–16:53 | | What to love about watching | Party participation, introverts | 23:10–24:26 | | Soccer rules 101 | Offside, cards, flopping, referees praised | 24:26–32:13 | | Tournament structure | Groups, pots, knockout rounds explained | 33:13–36:20 | | Wholesome moments | Freeman on Juneteenth, Baligan & citizenship | 43:13–47:18 | | The game: Queer or FIFA? | Humorous, lightning round quiz | 49:48–55:37 | | Reasons WC is inherently ‘gay’ | Chants, grooming, fan culture | 55:39–57:54 | | Calls for visibility & support | Women’s & men’s mutual fandom | 60:22–66:45 | | Knockout rules & ending | Overtime, penalties, outro | 66:50–72:11 |

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Tone, Style, and Vibe

• Warm, playful, highly relatable—equal measures of serious sporting history and family sleepover energy.
• Accessible and educational: The pros (Abby, Julie) break down intimidating jargon without condescension.
• Blunt honesty and quick wit from all, especially Glennon and Amanda, whose “soccer newbie” questions set the tone.

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Final Takeaways

• The World Cup is more than a sports tournament: it’s a global festival, a chance for shared joy, and a reminder of common humanity.
• The blending of cultural, historical, and gender storylines—plus a healthy dose of humor—makes this episode inviting for diehards and newbies alike.
• The power of mutual support between women’s and men’s players can be harnessed more—and the Pod Squad calls on those in charge to do just that.
• The magic of “the soccer” is in connection, hope, the thrill of the underdog, and shared, messy emotion—just like life.

Memorable sign-off:

“USA on three. One, two, three—USA!” (71:47–72:00)

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Recommended for:

• Anyone “World Cup curious”
• Americans seeking pride and unity amidst political division
• Feminists, sports fans, and cultural critics alike
• Listeners craving deep connection, learning—and laughter—around sports

Transcript

[A]

Hello, Pod squad.

[B]

Hi.

[A]

I thought you were saying, hi, party people.

[B]

Oh, yeah, sorry. I got a lot going on.

[C]

We gotta keep that part in. That's nice.

[B]

Don't you. I was just going straight into we can do hard things mode. Just like. Okay. How are you? I'm good. Okay. Three, two, one.

[A]

Well, hello, Pod squad.

[B]

Party people.

[A]

You're welcoming the party people.

[B]

Yes, party people. And pod squad. Glennon, what are we doing here? Why are you in that jersey?

[A]

Okay, so, pod squad, here's what's happening. You may have noticed something going on in the world lately as of like the last two weeks, which is that everyone on earth is talking about the soccer.

[B]

The soccer. Yep.

[A]

Okay. And the reason everyone's talking about the soccer is that there's something going on right now that is called the World Cup.

[B]

The Men's World Cup.

[A]

The men's World Cup. Which is important to explain. Okay. Our house. Well, our house is a very, very, very fine house. Is it? And it's been invaded. It's been taken over. It's every day, every morning. Tonight, the soccer it is talking about the soccer it is talk the soccer while we eat the soccer. We breathe the soccer. We are living the soccer. And we thought, what if the other night I thought, what is so cool is that my wife and her dear, dear friend and business partner are the experts of the soccer. And they we could come together on we can do hard things and welcome to the party. And the most incredible icons and experts of the soccer could tell us what in the ever loving hell is going on. And that's what we're here to do today. Because we can do hard things. Even embrace and understand the soccer.

[B]

We can do world cup things.

[A]

Our cup runneth over.

[B]

We can do World cup things. And so for the pod squad who is listening, we are going to go through a whole episode of what the heck all of the men's World cup is. Julie and I are going to take Glennon and Amanda through the fun little intricacies. We also have a little fun game at the end to play with the two of you. So, Jules, you want to take it away?

[D]

It is time for. For the partiest part of our party. Party people, welcome to. As Abby just said, the we can do World cup things party.

[B]

Let's go,

[D]

Abby.

[B]

Welcome to the World cup things party. We can do World cup things. Party people and pod squad, welcome crossover. Here we are.

[A]

This is already more stimulation than I felt for months and months. I'm so excited and trying to stay calm.

[B]

This is what Fun, looks like. Is it doing a show?

[A]

I feel it. It's tingling inside. I feel it.

[D]

Well, and we really wanted to do this crossover because as you were talking about Glennon, like, everyone is talking about World cup, and even if it's on, maybe not on your home tv, you're seeing it on screens wherever you go out to eat. And so we thought, well, maybe we should do, like, a starter pack for people who are curious or maybe they're overwhelmed.

[A]

World cup curious.

[B]

World cup curious.

[D]

Curious. Or maybe they're overwhelmed, or maybe they're just pretending to know what the hell is happening. So, yes.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

I feel like there's something. It's like, I don't know anything about the players or the teams or the anything, but I can sense that something is a stir. Like, it's like there's something more fun in the air. And I've been saying all this, right? Like, memes and videos where it's like, dear Government, we've been having so much fun, and we are sad it's going to be over. Can the world come for a sleepover next summer, too? Like, and. And this, like, idea that it's like, realizing that it's we're all the cousins, and it isn't that the other countries are bad, it's that our parents are always crazy and that's why we've never met our cousins.

[A]

It's like, that kind of vibe.

[B]

Somebody said that the World cup, just the US Having a giant sleepover with the cousins we never see because our parents hate each other. That's the quote that you're referencing.

[C]

That's the vibe.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

Yes. I'm seeing that kind of stuff. And I'm like, I can sense that. I don't know what's happening on the field, but that vibe, I can sense.

[D]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And honestly, and I know you all are the same, like, I finally feel hopeful about this country for the first time in a very long time. And I'm like, I actually can put on a USA jersey and a USA hat and feel good about it. And I'm like, oh, my gosh. I haven't felt. Felt that way in a very long time. So I'm super grateful for that.

[A]

Yes.

[D]

I kind of want a row like the Norwegians. Have you been seeing those? Yes.

[A]

We did it. We went to a game and we tried it. And then, of course, it doesn't make sense if no one else is doing it.

[B]

Well, no. Okay. We didn't try it, honey. The American Outlaws, they do a different thing. You Just heard them making the similar noise.

[A]

And then Chase and I did some row.

[B]

Well, you know, Jules, at the Turkey A USA game. Because the USA fans do it this way. Yeah, yeah. And when they were doing that, Glennon and Chase were, like, growing because we

[A]

were trying to start something.

[D]

Do you know who I think we stole this from? Because we steal all cheers from someone else.

[B]

Iceland.

[D]

Yes. That was the Iceland cheer, which was a good one, too.

[C]

Am I supposed to stop you? And I don't understand things like who the American Outlaws are.

[D]

Yes, for sure.

[B]

Good question.

[C]

Who are the American Outlaws?

[B]

It's like the USA's fan supporters, the supporting group.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

You know, like, some teams have, like, supporter groups and then they name themselves some things. American Outlaws is one of them for our US Men's national team and women's national team.

[D]

And they're huge. And they gather. It's very communal. They gather before the games, typically a bar, and then they march into games and they come up with chance. And even though we aren't, as a country, great at chance, we are getting the vibe off of all these other people. And so. Ah, yeah.

[A]

And like, every country has that group. I feel like, for me, it feels not just hopeful for our country, but it feels hopeful. There's something about the visuals of it, of seeing these crowds for every country.

[B]

The Netherlands, all of the orange.

[A]

Yeah, all of them. It's like I'm seeing the images and I'm thinking, okay, fascist propaganda is basically at the very bottom of it. It's just, be scared of everybody. Everyone's different than you. And they can't. Like, nobody can erase the visuals we're seeing of crowds of beautiful people in all their different jerseys with all the love and hope on their faces, with their babies and the little earphones on their ears and the cheering and the crying. And you can't. Even if you're not translating into words, you can't undo that reverse propaganda in your mind. You can't forget when you see all these different countries we've been told to fear looking just the same. All the love and hope and family and togetherness, it can't be erased.

[D]

I know, I know. It is such a good image and such a needed one at the most important time. Honestly, I'm gonna, like, go into mourning when this all ends and be, like, said, can we do this again? Can we have more sleepovers?

[B]

We can. Next summer it's called the Women's World Cup.

[C]

I know.

[A]

It's amazing.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

Yes, exactly. I don't want to wait a Whole year. Maybe we should do these more often. Okay. I should note, too, before we get too far down the road, that we are recording this a week ahead of when this drops. So I'm going to go out on a limb here. I think we are going to go on a limb here because I think you're going to go with this. Right? We can see the future. We know that we can see it. And so by the time y' all are watching this, there is no doubt in our minds that the US has won their round of 32 games against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

[A]

Let's go.

[D]

And I'm going to further predict then they've just won their round of 16 game. Okay. That would have been against Senegal or Belgium. Okay. And we're about to embark on a quarter final, which is the furthest we've ever gotten at a World cup, potentially

[B]

against 2002, but, you know, potentially there could be. There's been some upsets already.

[D]

Hey, Cape Verde against Spain.

[A]

Have to slow it down.

[C]

What about that Germany thing?

[A]

That was a big deal.

[B]

That was the Germany thing yesterday. Paraguay, get out of here. I mean, unbelievable. Okay, but before we slow it down.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

I just want to give the listener. I want to give the pod. The pod squad. Folks, why you may want to consider getting into this.

[A]

Oh, cool.

[B]

Because a pitch. I think that so many of us have struggled, right, with the. The state of our country to be able to wear a jersey and cheer for the red, white and blue.

[A]

Yeah, right.

[C]

Especially the men.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, exactly. So fair. So what I want to implore on to the pod squad and the party people is that when I wear the USA red, white and blue and I deck myself out and I go to the games, I am cheering for the version of this country that I believe to be true and the version of this country that I want this country to become.

[A]

Ah, yes, that. That.

[B]

And I believe that what is so great about this country is that we are in some ways set up to be divided, but how we find the middle matters. And I think, and I believe that sports has this unifying way of bringing people who are on the edges and polarized right now. This is one thing that we might be actually able to agree on here, that we're going to agree that we're going to cheer for this one team and the skill and the muscle of. Of potentially being in the same stadiums or watching the same screens and cheering for the same team. As somebody who may have voted differently than you, I'm not excusing them from that, but What I'm saying is we have to learn and create the skill and the muscle and the habit of being able to do something together. And this is one of those things. Okay, this is one of those things. Now my second point.

[D]

I know where you're going.

[B]

Yeah. I think this is going to excite Amanda. And I've talked about it with this. Amanda, do you know that the men's national team and their success in this World cup is actually putting dollars into the pockets of our women's national team players?

[C]

Well, you should have led with that

[A]

because I. I know, I know.

[D]

We should have gone to the very top.

[C]

I'd be wearing all the stuff already.

[B]

The most recent. We can do equal things.

[D]

We can do them.

[B]

So the equal pay deal that the U.S. woman signed with U.S. soccer requires the men and the women to share prize pools, the money that goes into the prize pool, equally from FIFA, which is the key. So when the men are in the FIFA World cup, the Men's World cup, and the women are in the Women's World cup, how those teams do and how far they go on in those tournaments, FIFA gives a prize money to the. The US soccer that gets then divvied up 50, 50 between the men and women's teams. And the further along this men's team goes in this tournament, every round you go into, more money gets put into that prize pool pot.

[C]

Oh, my God. And isn't it true. So the men have been the recipients of the inverse of that because the women have been winning. However, isn't it true that the pool, the actual, like, prize, the purse in the women's game is so much smaller than the men's game.

[D]

Yes, exactly. So when you're watching two is going to eventually change. It's going to get to equal, I think, by 20, 31. And then the men are going to really benefit because the women are going to be crushing.

[B]

Go far.

[C]

Right.

[B]

So if you're struggling to figure out whether or not you can cheer for our men's team, you in fact are cheering for our women's team. When you are cheering for a men's team during this men's World Cup.

[A]

Wow, you guys are good at this pitch. This is really done.

[C]

I'm in.

[A]

So, like, if Freeman scores a goal, Trinity Rodman gets money.

[B]

Yes. Well, they have to win and they

[A]

have to just say it like that. I just want to keep it like that.

[C]

Just say it like that.

[D]

Keep it simple enough goals.

[B]

And in my mind, this is. This is like the real definition of like one Nation. One team. One of the taglines that US Soccer has very much had over the years. So we also want to get into a couple of things about why this is considered the greatest sporting event in the world.

[A]

Okay?

[B]

Okay. And feel free to ask questions. Feel free to add your own reasons why you might think. Because you're smart and funny. And so I just want to give you the green light to just be yourselves here. But. But the truth is, is, like, why is it that. That people travel thousands of miles to go cheer their team on?

[A]

And.

[B]

And one of the cool things about the World cup being here and, like, sell their houses?

[D]

By the way, did you hear that people were, like, selling their houses to come and make this a trip because

[B]

it's so expensive, first of all. Yeah, but, Jules, have you ever traveled thousands of miles to go to World Cups?

[D]

I have traveled thousands of miles, but typically, because I'm getting paid to cover them or broadcast them. Right. But I think world does this, and this is something that's hard for Americans to understand because we don't feel the sport like the rest of the world feels the sport. And when you think of this is a sport that has been passed on through generations in these different countries where that's all they have. Growing up in America, we have American football and basketball and hockey and baseball, and you go down the list, right. In these countries, they literally live and breathe and bleed for football. They call it football, which is soccer in the United States, or you can call it football. So it's very different because you've grown up with your entire country and your entire culture and your family. Just, you know, everything is around the country's football team. And so you feel it in a very different way culturally. And. And then it's the World Cup. It's once every four years. And if you can even qualify, it's amazing. But then to get on, which has been fun to watch in this tournament because it's a larger field, they typically had 32 teams. They had 48 this year for the first time. And I thought, oh, that might be too much. But what's really cool is you have all these teams who wouldn't have even made it to the World cup who are making a bit of a run. Look at Cape Verde. First World Cup, Abby and I had to look where Cape Verde was.

[B]

I didn't even know where it was.

[D]

Where is this?

[A]

Well, we heard that Cape Verde. Cab. Whatever.

[B]

Cabo Verde.

[A]

Cabo Verde. Their entire population is two of the stadiums that are being played. Okay, Two. Two of the stadiums is their entire population. So then you think half of that is girls can't make the team. So you have one stadium. You gotta think half of you can play, half of them are not. Are artists. Not like you've got like 30 people and you gotta send 27 of them to the World cup and then they're beating people. It's amazing.

[B]

Yeah, it really is. And I think when it comes down to having traveled around the world playing in World Cups and also going to the Euros, it's so cool to watch other countries have the love of this sport that we grew up playing. And not just love, but it's like reverence and it's. It's in their bones, right? This is what their families did every Sunday. This is their church. This is their. This is their thing. And what I think is a religion. It's a religion in some ways. And what I think is so cool is that it's also this experience where you get to sit next to somebody and watch them go through emotional toil and like, ups and downs and they. Your father is expressing himself in a way that I never really saw my father express himself, like when he's watching like the. The Masters golf on television.

[D]

Did you see to your point, when Paraguay again, we're recording this a week before this goes live. But Paraguay won. They beat Germany, right? Was it Germany? Yeah, it was Germany. Right. And literally they did this amazing social media post of just slow mode reacts of fans and just weeping, weeping in the moment when the final whistle blew. And I was like. And I got. I started weeping.

[A]

I was like, oh, my gosh, this is amazing.

[D]

Just to see the emotion of.

[B]

It just means so much to the people. And, and, and for me too, it's so beautiful to have the, The, The World cup, the Men's World cup here this summer, not only because of where our country has been over the last couple of years, but like, watching the American immigrants watch their teams, like, and to watch the. With the kind of pride and love of their home country. And then they. They left their home country to come here for all of the reasons and that they have the same kind of pride to watch the men, our men play. Like, there's just something so freaking healing about watching people and the community that brings people together around this thing that we can all agree on. And there seems to be, like, there's. There's still some sort of decorum inside of the, The Men's World cup that, like, we're all still agreeing on a certain set of rules to live by that feels.

[A]

I think that's calming my nervous system because we've been living in such wild wild west times where there's no consequences, nobody has to follow any rules, we have no agreed upon set of rules anymore. And every time I see a yellow card I'm like oh thank you Jesus. Someone is being held accountable.

[B]

Yes,

[A]

Yes, there is an rightness in

[C]

the world and that man in the strength.

[A]

Yes, yes, I agree not do that. And we're going to stop and talk about it.

[B]

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[A]

I'm going to give another pitch for why to watch soccer.

[B]

Oh, you have a pitch. I love this.

[A]

And so. And also it makes sense now when you're talking about soccer as a religion and why these people sell their houses and they're not going to a game, they're making a pilgrimage.

[D]

Pilgrimage. That is good. Yes.

[A]

But if you're just a person who. Okay, this is my pitch for why I love Windsor. I have loved these last two weeks. I love when soccer is on in the house and you know, that idea of introverts unite, but separately and at home. Like, I. This is my moment where I feel like I'm part of a party because I'm in a moment with everybody else. There's thousands and thousands of people that are doing the same thing. But. And I am on my couch. Yeah, I feel part of it. I'm a party person.

[B]

You are a party person, aren't you?

[A]

But also I'm in my comfort zone. So if you are. Because when I sit and watch TV during the day, a movie, I feel like a loser. I feel like, what am I doing? I'm not even. But when I'm watching soccer, I feel like.

[D]

Totally acceptable.

[A]

Participatory. Yes, it's totally acceptable.

[C]

I'm just meeting all my friends here without actually Having to meet anyone while

[D]

still staying on my couch.

[B]

Glennon, what's your definition of offside?

[A]

My definition, basically, first of all, it can't be understood, really, no matter what Julie says. It's like it's just a matter of spiritual surrender. It's like, God works in mysterious ways, and so does offside. You should just accept it and probably not. Offside is not taking further questions. It's at a press conference, and it's done. Okay. It doesn't have to defend itself. But if you want to know what it means, it basically just means, even after all that, no goal and no further questions. And so I just recommend that, like, every time a team scores a goal, everyone loses their mind with joy. And I want to say, have we learned nothing? Like, should we just guard our heart for a moment? Don't get excited yet. Just hold your heart. Wait to see if the person with the black socks raises that little flag, because most likely they're gonna. And then once that part is done, we cheer.

[B]

Oh, that's so good. Okay, do we want to talk about what the difference is between a red card and a yellow card?

[A]

I think we should definitely talk about cards.

[B]

What do you guys think the difference is between a yellow card and a red card? How would you describe that?

[A]

I mean, to me, a yellow card is, you need to think really hard about your behavior. And a red card is like, that's it. You had your chance, and now it's done, and now you're going to get a consequence. And what I would recommend, just for positivity sake, is that we also add green cards. Like when someone helps someone up, when someone has very good behavior, when someone

[B]

can it X out a yellow card.

[C]

No, because then people will just do it for that.

[B]

Right.

[A]

You're right. They'll have the wrong intention. I think a green card is when you do the right thing and you only have good intentions. Or, for example, you know, if you're a boy and you're playing soccer, if someone touches your pinky, you don't fall down and cry.

[D]

Like if you roll four times.

[A]

Yes, yes. You just deal with it and move on. Green card.

[B]

Okay, so this is something. Actually, before we get into the red card and yellow card thing, we do want to talk a little bit about what is called flopping in soccer. Okay. You may have also called soccer. Yeah, well, men's soccer. It's called men's soccer.

[D]

Let's be clear.

[B]

Yeah. So you may have noticed during this men's World cup where there's some sort of battle or interaction on the field tackle. And it doesn't look so bad, but one of the players now has gone down on the ground and they are flailing. They're very upset. They're writhing in pain. They've been kicked in the ankle, but they're holding their face.

[C]

They have never experienced such injustice and frankly, audacity, ever. Except for 30 seconds before.

[B]

That's right, yes. This is what we call flopping. And, and. And FIFA has tried over the years to really try to get a handle on this. And Jules, do you know if this World cup that they're trying to. You caution some of the players who are feigning the injuries?

[D]

Yeah. Well, they have new rules this year, which is actually really fun.

[B]

What are they?

[D]

So they've tried to, to your point, Abby, get a handle on this because it slows the game down. Right. And it's like, God, every 10 seconds, like someone's rolling and you're like, come on, you're fine. So what they're doing now is if it's not a yellow card, like, cautionary foul. So if the foul did not warrant a yellow card and the player doesn't get up right away, they have to go into time out. It's like, you've got to face the wall for one minute. They have to go off the field.

[C]

Do they literally have to face the wall?

[D]

I know. No, but I wish they did. Like, you're in timeout for one minute and your team plays down a player.

[A]

Oh, it's like hockey. Great.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[D]

It's like a power play for one minute. So they have to get off the team plays down, and then they run back on.

[A]

That's wonderful. And I want to say to all the people who feel upset about the flopping, what I would like to suggest is that there's a deeper level of triggering when you're a woman watching men flop all over the place. I mean, for example, women soccer players do not flop. I mean, occasionally you see it, occasionally we see Emma do it occasionally. But it's not a permanent state of being.

[B]

It's not a tactic.

[A]

And I think that what's triggering about it is because that seems that's what happens in every room, in every business, in every family, in every court, Supreme Court justice. The men are allowed to flop around and flail and be so emotional and lose their minds. And if the women raise an eyebrow, everyone says they're too emotional. So I do just want to suggest that if it's trigger occurring to you to watch the men flop There might be deeper levels to why that is so annoying.

[D]

So true.

[A]

That's all. That's all I want to say. And, you know, it's possible that men are just too emotional to play soccer or lead in any of these other ways.

[C]

But.

[A]

But carrying on.

[C]

But as long as it's a tactic that, like, people only do things that are aligned with their. Motivate with their interests. So, like, it has clearly been an effective use to do that, and now they're realigning the rules so it's less effective.

[B]

A reason why they're trying to do that is because the bigger the reaction oftentimes because the referees are human. Right. And they're trying to play on the humanity of the referee. And so if they go down and fake this massive injury, the referee is more likely to not only just call it, but potentially card the. The infraction or the. The player, which. The more yellow cards. If you get two yellow cards in one game, that equals a red card to go back to the card situation. And if you get a red card, you have to leave and go into the locker room. You've got the big timeout, and then your big time. Your team plays down a man or down a player for the rest of that game.

[C]

And so that isn't it next game, too.

[B]

Yes.

[D]

Wow.

[B]

And sometimes more, depending on how egregious the red card was.

[C]

Oh, there's levels of red cards.

[B]

Yeah. They can review all of the cards.

[A]

Is it like a flagrant foul in basketball?

[C]

Wow.

[B]

What in the world did you. Where did you pull that from? Who are you?

[A]

While we're talking about the flags and the cards.

[B]

The flags.

[A]

Yeah. I don't know why I said that.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I. I just want to take one moment to shout out a group of people in this soccer that I don't think get enough credit, which is these referees. I am. Oh, I am. Okay. I don't know why anyone hasn't written a book or done a complete study on the nervous system of these referees and how they handle. I know some of them are better than others, but the fact that they have 80,000 of the most passionate people in the entire world screaming at them from the stands, and yet they make the call based on what they see, resisting the peer pressure, resisting the, like, fear of making. Their nervous systems should be studied. They should have. They should teach parenting classes. Every time I watch them, I'm like, oh, that's how I want to do it.

[C]

It's like the equivalent of free climbers. Like, I'm like, you're made of different things than me. I would look at every play and be like, honestly, I could see it both ways.

[A]

Or just like looking at the crowd and being like, what do you guys think? Okay, like they

[D]

red. What do you think?

[C]

I believe in myself. I saw what I saw.

[A]

They should take courses and they hold the line.

[C]

Never. You could not pay me enough dollars.

[D]

No, I know they have some fortitude, that's for sure. I would not want that job.

[C]

Oh, my God.

[D]

Oh, my gosh. I mean, I was thinking of that USA Brazil match. This isn't World cup related. This is women related. When there were eight red card and that woman. Oh, my gosh. To your point, Glenn. And I was like, I. I don't

[B]

know how she did it.

[D]

I mean, because that was about to unravel.

[B]

They had to bring the riot.

[D]

Well about it did. It did unravel. There were eight red cards.

[A]

It unraveled. And then. And then Marta came out. And I love me some Marta. And I was like, now she's gonna calm this shit down. And then Martha just ratcheted it up 60%. Everybody, sister. They brought out riot people with riot gear to protect the refs. After.

[D]

I was like, wow.

[B]

Yeah, it was a wild, wild.

[A]

This woman ref was just not having it and handled the whole business. And it was. I thought it was gonna like, be a viral thing.

[B]

Jules, do you want to explain really quick, the stagings and all the different rounds really very quickly, because I think that people might understand this.

[D]

Everyone is put into a group. There's this draw that happens ahead of the World Cup. They're all put in different pots. They draw out of the different pots. They literally call them pots. So that higher ranked teams are in one pot and you put them in each group. There are 12 groups of four teams. So 48 teams to start all this. 12 groups, four teams.

[C]

And the 12. It goes from the worst 12 to the best 12.

[D]

It goes from the best in one pot. Pot. Is that what you mean?

[C]

No, she's like, there's 12 pots. And like.

[B]

No, so what. What Julie is saying is there's multiple pots where the names of each team are getting drawn to be literally like a lot placed. Yeah. To be placed into a group like Hogwarts.

[C]

Oh, okay.

[D]

So that you don't have too many top ranked teams in one bracket. It tries to even out all the brackets by rankings. Right, Got it. So that it evens out all these teams. This is the first time again they've had 48 teams. Okay. They now have a round of 32. So there's an extra game because there used to just be 32 teams. Now there's a round of 32, meaning the top 32 teams. So the top two in each group, that gives you 24 of the 12 groups. Right? So top two of the 12 groups are through to the next round to the knockout stages. And then they picked eight teams that were the top eight third place finishers of the 12 groups. So that depended on points, it depended on goals, score, head to head, all those things that they look at, goal difference. So they then pick those top eight, and that's your round of 32 matchups. If you finish first in your group, like the United States did you typically play a three or a two team. Not everyone can play a three because there's only eight. Right? But we get a three team. Bosnia and Herzegovina was a three team, was a three seed. So when you finish top of your group, you usually get someone that's ranked lower, which is good for the United States or for whoever finishes. Doesn't always work out that way, as we know. Germany, Paraguay, for example. But. And then they go to. If you win the round of 32 game, which is a knockout round, so if you lose, you go home. If you win, you go to around a 16 game. If you win that, you go to quarterfinals. So the final eight teams, semifinals, final.

[B]

And just for clarification, the group staging, everybody who qualifies to play in the World cup gets at least three games. And that is what the groups, group stage games are. You play around robin tournament in this group stage to see who then is in first, second and third place in your group that will then go out into the round of 32. And then every game after that is a knockout round stage game, meaning you win or you go home. Okay, high stakes, high stakes.

[C]

I try to be intentional about the products that I buy for my family. So when it comes to laundry, I choose All Free Clear detergent. You all know this about me. I'm always thinking about the small everyday choices that add up to how we take care of ourselves and the people we love. And in our house, Sensitive skin is just part of our reality. So I'm always trying to make choices that help keep everyone comfortable. That is why it matters to me, that All Free Clear is the number one detergent brand recommended by dermatologists for sensitive skin. And that it's 100% free from dyes, perfumes and parabens. And the thing I appreciate is that it actually works. It tackles tough stains and odors. You know, real life, messy everyday stuff. But it's still safe for sensitive skin. So whether it's workout clothes, kids clothes, or just the constant rotation of laundry, I don't have to overthink it. Pick up a bottle of all free clear detergent for your next laundry day. A lot of us are overthinkers, but sometimes those tendencies can imply something deeper. Maybe it's replaying a conversation over and over and over because you're terrified you said the wrong thing. Or maybe it's intrusive thoughts that feel completely out of character but won't leave you alone. It's not that well known, but OCD can show up as unwanted intrusive thoughts, relationship doubts, health fears, or other thoughts that create intense anxiety and feel impossible to turn off. NOCD is the world's leading provider of specialized OCD treatment. Their licensed therapists are trained in exposure and response prevention, or erp, the most effective treatment for ocd. If any of this sounds like you or someone you care about, visit nocd.com and book a free 15 minute call with their team to learn more about how NOCD can help. That's n o c d.com nothing actually

[B]

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[C]

When is the actual championship? Because I know we're recording this a week in in July 19. We now know the the entire 32. And then when is it?

[D]

We'll be in between like 16 and quarterfinals around 16 a quarter hopefully. For example, if the US win against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is on Wednesday, July 1, then they play on July 6 against the winner of Senegal Belgium. And then if they win that game, they will go to the quarterfinal on July 10th in guess where that is.

[B]

No.

[D]

Yes.

[C]

No.

[B]

Yes.

[D]

Yes, Louisiana.

[B]

But I can't go because my. They lost when we went to Turkey.

[A]

Julie, I just want to ask you about this real quick because I need you to help me understand this. We went to the Turkey USA game. Okay. It was wonderful. It was the most. It was a so fun. And we were actually surrounded by Turkey A fans and.

[D]

Oh, you were.

[A]

And honestly, Chase and I, when they. Chase and I were like crying a little bit for the Turkey fans and we were so happy for them. And we were hiding it from Emma and Abby because we felt like they would be furious with us if they saw us feeling that way. But it was.

[C]

Was.

[A]

They were. Anyway.

[B]

Is this true?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

My God.

[A]

We're leaving the stadium and Abby says to us, I need you to know that we can never go. No matter what happens in this World cup, we can never go to a game again. And she said it in full seriousness. And the kids were like, wait, what? And she said, I can't be there. My energy is not wanted at the game. And I'm telling you right now, I'm not joking. And it's not set foot in the stadium again. Abby, it's my fault.

[B]

No, you guys, I'm so sad about it. And also so are my children because they want to go to another game.

[A]

Julie, help us.

[C]

What?

[A]

Is that real? What is.

[D]

No, it is not real. It is. Abby's real.

[B]

It's my real.

[D]

She's very superstitious, as we know. But I said to her the same thing, Glennon, I'm like, you're crazy. Go to the game and bring the energy that is required to get them over the top. And she's like, I can't. I can't. I'm like, yes, you can. For your kids and for this country, you can do this.

[A]

Thank you, Julie Foudy. But it's. She actually believe I don't agree with it, but there's something about it that I respect so deeply. Because she is so self sacrificial. She wants more than anything to be at that game and she feels she can't. There's some kind of grandiosity and also sacrifice in it that I can't.

[C]

So self sacrificing and also narcissistic. Self involved.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Because it's like, ah, you did it.

[B]

You.

[D]

Yeah. You are not responsible for this.

[B]

I understand. I deeply, deeply understand that But I would not be able to live with myself if I go and then they lose.

[A]

Okay.

[D]

I think you need to think differently. I think you need to think and put it into the universe that they will win because you are there, and they will win because why not us, Abby? That's just what they say. Why not us? Yes.

[A]

I love that.

[B]

I do want to note and stay on time here. I want to talk about a couple of wholesome moments that I think you two and the pod squad will really love. And then we have our little fun game at the end to close this

[A]

if we go a little long. It's okay. It's so fun.

[B]

Are you having fun?

[C]

I'm having so much fun.

[B]

Okay. That is making me so happy because I just wanted you guys to show up and just be yourselves.

[A]

Yeah. It's so fun.

[B]

Okay. Okay. So I just wanted to tell you, and I don't know if you know this, sister, but a man's name on our. Our men's national team is called Freeman. Yes.

[D]

I knew this is where you were going.

[C]

Wait, what's his name? Freeman.

[A]

Freeman.

[D]

Well, you have two good ones then.

[B]

Yeah. Julie, what is his first name? I'm losing my mind.

[D]

Alex.

[B]

Alex Freeman. Okay. And he scored a goal on June 19. Do you understand what the history of the name Freeman is as it relates to Juneteenth?

[A]

Does she understand?

[C]

So do you want me to tell the story of Juneteenth, please? Or do you want me to tell.

[A]

Briefly?

[B]

Briefly.

[A]

Not a legal document. We need.

[C]

How much time you got?

[A]

We need this brief.

[C]

Okay. Okay.

[D]

So Glennon just said we had time.

[A]

So you don't know what could happen here, Julie, The Emancipation Proclamation.

[C]

This is something Lincoln does. He says, okay, enslaved people. But to be totally clear, it's just the people who are fighting against the Union, not the Northern. Not the border states, but that's fine. Are now free because of the south in rebellion against the North. Okay, so now enslaved people are no longer free. Except that the places out west, including Texas, are like, well, if we just don't tell the people they're free, then they will never know. Okay, so it is literally, I think it's three years after enslaved people have been officially emancipated, that word gets to people who are enslaved in Texas, that they have, in fact, not only been liberated from enslavement, but that has been the case for years, but no one has bothered to tell them. So a army officer comes in, spreads the good news to the enslaved people of Texas and says, y' all are free. That date that he came in and spread that news was. Is Juneteenth. And that is what is celebrated on Juneteenth. Which Freeman.

[B]

Yeah. And so Alex Freeman scored a goal on June 19 for the United States against Australia in a World Cup.

[D]

Isn't that crazy?

[B]

Get out of here.

[A]

And. And they. And that is the most common name, right?

[B]

Yeah. The common surname.

[A]

Many of them renamed themselves.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

Because they had been given.

[D]

Oh, they renamed themselves because they're now free men.

[A]

Yes. And because they had been given names. Names by their slave owners. Right. Correct. So they.

[C]

Yeah, they carry the name of the enslaver.

[A]

Right.

[C]

For them and their people. So they didn't want those names anymore.

[A]

That's so incredible.

[B]

It's so cool. It's so cool. Okay, we're gonna end that on a high note and wait. Go ahead, Jules.

[D]

We have to talk about birthright citizenship.

[B]

Yes, I forgot. Okay.

[D]

I was gonna say. That was the second part. That's what I thought you were going to. Originally.

[B]

No, I totally freaking forgot. Okay. Flo Baligan. So excited. My number, number 20. He was born in New York City. His mother and his family are from Nigeria, and they live and were residing in London and had citizenship there. Flew from London to the US to visit family. They were turned away at the gate because she was too pregnant. So she had a baby and a few weeks later flew back to London and lived their whole lives. So.

[D]

Well, baby in New York City.

[B]

Yeah, baby in New York City. So because of the birthright citizenship and some of the folks who are cheering on our men's national team, who may not have voted the way that I voted, know this, that Flo Baligan, our leading goal scorer on our men's national team, has. The reason why he's on our national team is because he was born here in the United States because of birthright

[A]

citizenship, which I believe was just upheld

[C]

by the Supreme Court. It was.

[D]

It was.

[B]

Can you believe that?

[A]

They probably just did it so we could keep Baligan. And they're probably going to take it away right after the World cup, but let's enjoy it for a couple weeks.

[C]

I feel like when you're talking about the pilgrimage of the countries here, that is so real and. And occurs to me that a lot of these places don't have, like, when. When you can't understand the fanaticism of some of these people supporting their country. Think about, like, a Red Sox fan or Yankees fan. It's like that, like, you're born, you're initiated into your Tribe where that is just as much a part of you and is going to be forever. It's that. And it's also like. I mean, the Olympics is like this too, but, like, the people coming are like, this is who we are. Like, this is how we want the world to document us. This is us, like, representing ourselves as opposed to the media representing us or the. All the other governments portraying us. And the reason I'm so obsessed with DRC is because there is this guy who Democratic Republic of Congo was for a long time fought to get for liberation from colonization by Belgium. And their leader, Lumumba, was like this amazing, amazing, amazing human. He was their first, like, democratically elected leader, fought for their liberation and then was, in part, with USA involvement, tortured and murdered when he was 35. There's a statue in Kinshasa of when they finally, decades later, got Lumumba's body back to Kinshasa. And Bolodinga is the man who does it. And he stands with his arm as a statue, frozen with his arm up in the air for 90 minutes the whole time. And he calls himself Lumumba Viea, or Lumumba lives to represent, like, who DRC is, how much they fought for their. For their independence, how they still are fighting for that right now. And he had trouble getting his visa and. And the team put him on as their official roster so he could get his visa to come to the games. Because he's that important to drc.

[A]

What that is.

[D]

They rostered him as a player.

[C]

Well, they rostered him as part of. Not as a player, but as, like, their official team so that he could get it. But I mean, it's like that kind of thing that's like, these people are like, this is. See us. Don't listen to what your people say about us. Like, this is who we are. I just. It's so beautiful.

[B]

The World cup is the World Cup. Okay, you guys, do you want to play a game?

[A]

Sure, babe.

[B]

Okay. The game is this. And Jules, we can just take turns reading them off. But the game is this. Is it queer or is it FIFA?

[A]

Wow. And by the way, can it be both good people?

[B]

Can it be by.

[A]

Okay, not typically.

[D]

It's not typically both, as you're going

[B]

to understand if you don't know what FIFA means. It means the Federation of International Football Association. Right?

[D]

Association.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Yes. So it is what we call the governing body of international football worldwide. It is the acronym for Federation International Football.

[D]

And it sometimes makes some curious. Often not sometimes. It often makes some curious decisions about things like Peace Prize.

[A]

Amanda.

[D]

I don't know.

[A]

FIFA's the one that gave, so that's all you need to know. They presented Donald Trump with a fake.

[B]

They made a fake Peace prize for him because he didn't get the Nobel. Okay. Number one. Okay. This is for Amanda. I'm going to say two options, and you're going to have to decide which one is queer and which one is FIFA.

[C]

Okay. This is so fun.

[B]

The official sponsor would be Tesla or Subaru.

[C]

Oh, my God.

[B]

Challenge me starting you.

[C]

FIFA. Subaru.

[A]

Queer.

[B]

Yes. Excellent. Let's do a check mark there. Glennon, you have the next one.

[A]

Okay.

[D]

Every stadium would have enough bathrooms for women or would have multiple private suites.

[B]

Oh, my God.

[A]

Okay. Multiple private suites. FIFA, yes. I mean, I heard FIFA's leaving suites open just because they don't want to lower the prices. They'd rather have empty freaking suites than dare to lower their prices to plebeians. And then I think enough bathrooms for women and would be queer.

[B]

Yes. Well done.

[A]

Thank you.

[D]

Check, check.

[B]

Okay, Amanda. The opening ceremony entertainment would be Shakira or Brandi Carlisle.

[C]

Well, I do know that Shakira wrote the theme song for the World cup when I was living in Africa, that was taking place in South Africa. So I'm going to have to say this one's for Africa. I mean, that's a beautiful song. So I hesitate to put Shakira in the FIFA bucket because I claim her. I love her, but I think she was officially that. And Brandi clearly is as queer as queer can be.

[B]

Yes. Cha ching cha ding.

[A]

Just. I'm also going to note that I love Shakira because if you. If you don't love that Hips Don't Lie song, you're. You're all. You're lying. But also, she didn't like the Barbie movie. She said officially that her sons felt like it was emasculating. So tick. I take her to the. A little. I'm smushing her a little. FIFA.

[C]

Okay.

[A]

I didn't hear that. FIFA side.

[B]

She also was married to one of the best defenders in the history of the game for a long time. Pk.

[A]

Okay. And she's just. You know, they're no longer together. She's great at her job.

[B]

All right, next one.

[D]

Okay. Red card.

[A]

Okay.

[D]

You did something very bad that sends you to the locker room or red card. Unfortunately, your face card was declined.

[A]

Okay. I honestly, I'm gonna go differently than you think I am. I feel like turning you away because you don't look a Certain way is more FIFA than queer. I'm going with FIFA for your face. Card was declined, and I feel like queer people are serious about justice, so I'm going with queer for you. Did something bad that sent you to the locker room?

[D]

No, I'm gonna give her the check. Cause I think that's brilliant.

[C]

It's a critical analysis of the game, and I'll give her that.

[B]

Yes. All right, Amanda, yellow card for an inappropriate tackle or a yellow card. Girl. Get your shit together, girl.

[C]

Anything with girl is queer.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

Ching.

[B]

Okay, let's. Oh, do the. Jules, go to the video replay system.

[D]

Okay. The video replay system is named var or it's named Are We Sure Babe?

[A]

Oh, my God.

[B]

Can you imagine?

[A]

Are We Sure Babe is so good. Definitely queer. And don't you guys wish we had VAR in our houses? Every time Abby and I get an argument, I just want to be like, I wish we had, like, three challenges. I wish we had, like, three times where we can check it.

[B]

Are we sure, babe?

[A]

But we'd get punished if we overused it like they do. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[C]

I'm going to pat my helmet throughout our. Throughout our fight just to roll it

[B]

back and just see what we actually said. One more to Amanda. Hydration breaks so that we can make more money or we're going to play through the 45 minute half because we have Yeti.

[C]

Yetis. Oh, well, we have Yetis because we're queer.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

But I think we should also have more money.

[A]

Both queer.

[B]

Actually, somebody on our content call thought about the hydration breaks to make money to be donated to puppy rescues or something.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

All right.

[A]

That's good, too.

[B]

That could also be queer.

[A]

Yeah. If it's lesbians, then it would definitely be to dog rescues. Yeah, for sure.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

Oh, my God, I love that game.

[B]

Can we talk a little bit about some of the reasons why we feel like the world. The men's World cup is inherently gay?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay. These are some fun things, Jules. Go ahead and read those off if you want.

[D]

My favorite is clearly the butt slaps when someone makes a good play. Because I. I'm all for butt slaps.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

They just want to touch each other so bad, and they just only have this one opportunity at their practices and their games.

[C]

I saw precious man accident, like, tackle somebody and he fell down, he tumbled, and he pulled the man up. He was on another team, and he pulled the man up and just kissed him right on his head to make sure he felt okay.

[D]

I don't know.

[C]

What team it was, but I was like, his immediate reaction was to just give that man a kiss and make sure he was okay.

[B]

Okay. What about buying the jerseys to put somebody else's name on your back? How inherently gay is that? Isn't that so gay of us?

[A]

Well, it certainly makes me upset when I think about all the guys who get so mad about Swifties.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I'm like, you people. You get mad when girls get excited about anything. It's like, oh, you're such losers. And then these men wake up and, like, get together in stadiums and lose their damn minds over the men on the field.

[B]

Yeah. And they have these fantasy teams that the sports. The draft.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

That they draft their team and they make it a whole big thing. And they're wearing all of the jerseys and they're high fiving and they're hugging and they're doing a lot of touching during games. Yes. Very inherently gay. Yes.

[A]

I love it.

[C]

Also, the collection, they call it fantasy is also very funny.

[B]

It's true.

[D]

I never even thought it's true.

[B]

Also the chanting of players names and then also the collection cards of the favorite players.

[A]

Yes. And also the grooming. The grooming.

[B]

The men's World cup grooming.

[A]

These soccer players, it is like they put them in a factory and they, like, run them through the factory and they're like eyebrows, check. Put them on the little thing to do legs and to shave in the hair and the thing. It's like they are very specific about their looks.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

And sometimes, like, the hair is perfectly quaffed.

[C]

Yes.

[D]

Just gently styled back. It looks great.

[A]

Impressive. Yes.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

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[A]

Can I ask you two question?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

The women are going to be playing in the World cup next. Is it next year?

[B]

Next summer?

[A]

Next summer? Okay. It feels to me like a beautiful thing is happening right now in which women soccer players like you two leaders, icons, are really sort of supporting this men's team in a way that feels like overt and like big. And do you feel that that energy is going to be reciprocated? Is a question that I have. And also it feels to me like there are so many missed opportunities from whoever's in charge here, FIFA, US Soccer or whatever, to really highlight and show the support and the unity between the two teams. Like why during the games are they not showing all the women players who have shown up to these games who are flying? Abby told me they're all there. Like, why are there not specific moments where these organizations are highlighting the support between the two? Why? Why when they present awards, do they not have the women's team coming to present something to the men's team, the men's team coming to present it to the women? And do you feel as if this energy will be reciprocated during the Women's World Cup?

[B]

That's a good question. And here is the thing that I love about being me and a woman. I believe that for the first time in my adult life that our men's national team has gotten better and that there is a potential to go pretty deep in this tournament. And I actually am opening myself up to utter annihilation. And I've Told you this, Glennon, that if they don't get to the semis, I will cry and I will be very, very sad because I am opening myself up to that being a real possibility.

[D]

Like, you're emotionally invested.

[B]

I am invested. I'm not. I'm not holding myself back. I'm getting my body and my. My clothes, and I'm getting my overalls and I'm getting my face painted, and I'm getting into it because.

[D]

But you're not going. You're going.

[B]

But I'm not going because I.

[A]

They lost.

[B]

But I do believe that, like. Like there is a certain amount of vulnerability we. I have allowed myself. Or lack of vulnerability. I've all allotted myself with the men's team, and right now that's been thrown out the window because I think that there's a real possibility this summer. Now, fast forward to next summer. I would love for the men to show up in the similar way for the women that the women have shown up for the men. I would love for U.S. soccer and FIFA.

[D]

Wait, Tio, real quick. Do you think the men know how much the women have showed up for them? To Glennon's point? Like, no one. Evergreen put it out there.

[C]

Evergreen statement.

[A]

But, like, why aren't they showing it? Like, why?

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Do they know during the Turkey Eye game, I mean, they kept showing Brad Pitt. They thought everybody was going to get excited about Brad Pitt. Julia made one noise for Brad Pitt. When they showed Mia and Julie in the box, the crowd lost their mind. It was immediate. It was massive. And my thought was, our country wants to see that so much, especially when you think about, like, the hockey shit that we went through in the Olympics. And the women are showing up in such a big way for the men, and it feels like it could be such a beautiful precedent and another unifying thing if they would just get their shit together enough to. To highlight it.

[B]

Yeah, I think we had.

[D]

At the first opening game in LA, I think we had 40 US women's national team alumni there. Yeah, right. In, like, iconic players that the Alex Morgan to Kristen Press, Tobin Heath. I mean, go down the list. It was. And they. Mia. They didn't show one player. I don't think. Lindsay. They showed Lindsay. Hey, Heaps. Which was great. But that was it.

[A]

Like, why wouldn't they have them all in one place just as, like, a cultural critic.

[C]

But not knowing anything about soccer, it's hard to understand how that's not intentional because it. It would be such an obvious play and would be such an obvious, like, Galvanizing situation. And maybe that's precisely why it's not. I mean, it seems to me that FIFA has profited for many, many years with the false paradigm that more for them means less for. Less for them means more for you. And that they have perpetuated that in their negotiations over and over and over again. So don't they have a stake in.

[B]

Yeah, I don't think it's a matter of them on purpose keeping the women out of the broadcasts or out of being on the videos in the stadiums. I think that. And it's worse, I think that they just actually don't even think about it.

[A]

Well, this is just a call out, like a manifestation, and asked whoever's listening that could. Could possibly affect this. That we need to see that. Yeah, we need to see the. The women icons who have built this thing. We need to see them there supporting this team. We need to see that just as much as we need to see any of these other unifying visuals.

[B]

So do the. So do the guys. So do the players. They need to see it, too, because they need to know how we're showing up for them.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

In a way that they then next summer will be able to show up for us. That's how this stuff works. And we're doing it. We're showing up. And I know that some of these guys will also show up and cheer for us and watch. However, it's another thing to do it very publicly. Like we're all doing it right, rather than just doing it privately and like, you know, tweeting once or whatever it is.

[A]

Yeah, it's beautiful is all I'm saying. It's beautiful, it's new, it's fresh, it should be seen, it could make a difference. And it feels very much like the sleepover thing is happening, but the parents are not showing it. They're not keeping it there. And we would like whoever the parents are to actually show that the people at the sleepover are having a good time and cheering for each other.

[C]

Women of excellence cheering on men of excellence and vice versa would be a really healing situation.

[A]

Amen.

[B]

It's true. Okay, you guys, guess what? Yeah, we've done it.

[D]

We've done it.

[B]

We've done it. We love you guys. Guys, so much for giving us this opportunity to teach you a little bit about the men's World cup and what is going on this summer and how things keep going. Oh. Oh. What we do need to explain really quick that now that we're in the knockout round stage games, many games might Go into what we call extra time over time.

[D]

Oh, good point.

[B]

That are 2:15 minutes. So if the game ends in a tie, the 90 minutes. And you're probably going to see 90, 90 plus six or 90 plus seven. There's that extra bit of time because the hydration breaks or certain injuries that happen during the game. It extends the game when the final whistle blows for the regulation. Then the game goes into two extra times.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

A first half and a second that are both 15 minutes long. So the overtime period is. The total is 30 minutes split up into two. One 15, another 15.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

If it is still tied at that point because there's no golden goal. Meaning if somebody scores, the game is not over. You play both overtime periods. If it is still tied after the second overtime period, then it goes into penalty kicks.

[A]

Jesus Christ. Yes.

[B]

Which is each team gets to do a coin toss to decide what goal to do the. The penalty kick at and then what? In which order? First or second?

[D]

Well explained, Abby. Well explained.

[B]

Sorry. I just knew that that's going to happen and I feel like that was a big missing link.

[A]

And one thing that the soccer could consider if they have time is we would need less explaining about time if they would maybe consider doing what everyone else does, which is having a clock that counts down instead of up. So like, for example, it's impossible to know how much time is left because it would be like if I start my microwave.

[B]

Because you can't do math.

[A]

If I put my microwave microwave on and I started at five minutes, I put five minutes and then my microwave just starts at zero and then I just have to remember how many minutes I put it on because it's counting up. But like the soccer could consider starting with 90 and counting down and then we would all know what was coming. Additionally, stop.

[D]

And just stopping the clock instead of the referee adding the. That stoppage time. Like just stop the clock.

[B]

Yeah, agree.

[D]

And then you carry it. So everyone knows when it's done. It's done.

[A]

Yeah, exactly.

[C]

There's always a big surprise where the gods go back and tell us how much time we have left. And it's like one can't know. Is it 1 minute or 19?

[D]

10 minutes?

[C]

What?

[B]

Speaking of extra time, we have gone very long now. I'm actually going to put our. Our ideas to practice. We are, we have to, we have to sign off here. I love you guys so much. Thank you for. Thank you for doing this little fun little thing.

[A]

Such an honor to learn this from the two best. The two best. I know. Such an honor. We love you both so much. Thank you for this.

[B]

I hope you learned something.

[A]

We sure did.

[D]

I sure as heck thanks for indulging and seemingly interested. So it looks like you guys. Okay, good.

[A]

And if you're we can do hard things person and you would like to continue your. Your. Your the sports journey. Freaking go. If you're not already watching right now, go to listen and support. Welcome to the party. I mean what they are doing over there with Billie Jean King also is. I mean it's shifting conversations. It's an absolute blast. It's learning about sports from the absolute best. Go over, listen, support them. Especially during this next year as we get towards the Women's World Cup. It's going to be all anyone's talking about. So. So you're going to want to learn it.

[B]

Yeah. And we also have a substack. I don't know if anybody over on we can do our things wants to follow our substack. It's welcome to the partyshow.substack.com we also have a merch store. It's called welcometotheparty.voila.store. if you guys do this in the show notes, we'll also include those links. Follow us at elcometotheparty show. We love you guys so much. Julie and I are so grateful that you gave us this time. Love you, pot squad.

[D]

Love you guys.

[A]

Usa.

[C]

Usa.

[A]

Can we do it?

[C]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

Okay, Amanda, pause in.

[C]

Okay, pause in.

[B]

Amanda's never seen it. And Amanda, in 1985, our Women's national team went over to Italy for the very first tournament of our women's national team. And the Italians only saw USA on those jerseys. And so they said usa. Usa. And so in the very first tournament that our women's national team played in, they created a cheer. And it goes like this. Usa. Usa. Usa. So on three.

[D]

And the is like a pelvic.

[B]

Exactly.

[C]

I imagine.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

And by the way, it is still to this day the the cheer that our women's national team uses. Yeah, it's very cool. Okay. USA on three. One, two, three. Usa.

[D]

Usa.

[B]

We out. Good job.

[A]

You guys nailed it.

[D]

Well done, team.

[A]

We are proud to say that we can do hard things is an independent production brought to you by us. Treat Media. Treat Media makes. Makes art for humans who want to stay human. And you can follow us at we can do hard things on Instagram.